MLS LA Galaxy

Galaxy sign forward Kirovski

Published on February 6, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


CARSON, CA (Friday, February 6, 2004) - The Los Angeles Galaxy have signed U.S. National Team forward Jovan Kirovski, it was announced today by Galaxy Vice-President and General Manager Doug Hamilton. The Galaxy using their allocation received from the retirement of Mauricio Cienfuegos acquired Kirovski, who joins the club after a two-year stint with Birmingham City of the English Premier League (EPL). No financial terms of the MLS contract were announced.

A dangerous presence in the attack, Kirovski brings a strong technical base and fits in best either up top or behind the forwards. One of the USA's most experienced internationals; he has played with several of the top clubs in Europe, boasting stints at Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon. He began his professional career in Europe as a 15-year-old, joining Manchester United's youth program in 1992.

"We're very pleased to bring Southern California native Jovan Kirovski back to Los Angeles," said Hamilton. "He is an experienced international who brings a strong physical presence and the ability to run at people as well as great technical ability to challenge defenders and score goals, which he has demonstrated with his play in some of the top European leagues."

A member the U.S. National Team since 1994, Kirovski has made 59 international appearances, participating in such prestigious tournaments as FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Copa America, CONCACAF Gold Cup, and U.S. Cup. Kirovski boasts nine goals with the full U.S. National Team, ranking him in the top 20 all-time. He made his first international appearance vs. Saudi Arabia in a 2-1 loss on Oct. 19, 1994, in Dhahran. Only a month later, he scored his first goal, the game-winner, vs. Jamaica on Nov. 22, 1994.

"I'm very excited to join the L.A. Galaxy, I've been thinking about coming back to play in the U.S. for a long time. Being from Southern California, this is a great opportunity for me to come home and have all of my family and friends around me," said Kirovski. "With my style of play, I look forward to being another offensive weapon, to create and score some goals and, hopefully, I can do that. The most important thing is to win games and go on to win the MLS Cup."

A native of Escondido, CA, Kirovski has 10 all-time appearances for the U.S. National Team during World Cup qualifying from 1996-2002. Kirovski played in eight games making seven starts in qualifying matches to the 2002 World Cup, helping the team qualify to Korea/Japan. He earned his 50th cap in the 3-2 loss against Honduras on Sept. 1, 2001.

"We're thrilled to add Jovan to the Galaxy's growing offensive arsenal," said Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "He is anxiously awaiting an opportunity to play first team football on a regular basis and is a player that by his performance with the Galaxy can earn his ticket to the World Cup in 2006."

The 6-1, 175-pound Kirovski started seven of the nine games the USA played in 2000, including scoring the game-winning goal in the opening game of the 2000 Gold Cup against Haiti at the Orange Bowl in Miami. Kirovski posted his best year for the USA in 1999, appearing in 11 games - 10 starts - and recording more minutes (990) than any other player while registering two goals and an assist for five points. In addition, he was a member of the bronze medal-winning squad at the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup in Mexico. He scored a highlight-reel goal that opened the doors to a 3-0 U.S. demolition of Germany on Feb. 6 in Jacksonville, and also scored on a header in the USA's 2-1 victory over New Zealand in the Confederations Cup opener.

In 1996, he scored five goals in his last nine games with the U.S. Olympic Team, including three game-winners, one of them a freekick tally against Tunisia. At the 1996 Gold Cup, Kirovski scored a goal in the USA's 3-0 win in the third-place match against Guatemala. He was also a member of the USA's U.S. Cup '95 championship squad and the '95 Copa America semifinalists.

The 27-year-old Kirovski started his professional career in 1992 signing with world-renowned club Manchester United, joining their reserve team. For the next four years, Kirovski played with Manchester United's A and B squads and was part of the same class that produced English stars David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.

In 1996, Kirovski signed with two-time defending Bundesliga Champion (at that time) Borussia Dortmund in August. For the next two seasons (1996-98), he played in 20 games with Dortmund, scoring his first professional goal for Dortmund in a Champions' League match vs. Sparta Prague in a 3-0 win on Dec. 10, 1996. The U.S. international helped Borussia Dortmund capture two of the World's most prestigious club tournaments, winning the 1997 Champions' League and the 1997 World Club Championship.

Next, Borussia Dortmund sent Kirovski on a one-year loan to second division club Fortuna Cologne. With Fortuna Cologne, Kirovski scored two goals in 20 appearances. He returned to Dortmund for the 1999-2000 season, but did not make an appearance. In 2000, he joined Portuguese league champion Sporting Lisbon for a season, making five appearances all as a substitute.

He then moved to the English first division signing with former EPL club Crystal Palace. Joining U.S. National Team teammate Greg Berhalter at Crystal Palace, Kirovski posted one of his best seasons playing in 26 games - 22 starts - with five goals, three of which were game winners, as an attacking midfielder. Most recently, he spent two seasons with Birmingham City of the EPL, playing in 20-plus games and scoring two goals.

Los Angeles Galaxy tickets are now on sale for the 2004 season at The Home Depot Center, who open their ninth season in MLS with a match against the New England Revolution at 7 pm (PT) on Saturday April 3, 2004. For more information or to purchase your 2004 Los Angeles Galaxy season tickets, please call toll-free 1-877-3GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com.

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