The Los Angeles Galaxy looks set to bolster its defense by adding D.C. United veteran Greg Vanney, blogger Ives Galarcep reports. Washington Post writer Steven Goff confirms the rumor, adding that Quavas Kirk will be involved in the trade. Vanney would become the second former Galaxy player to return to the team this off-season, striker Carlos Ruiz being the first. The central defender spent six seasons with the Galaxy before moving to French club Bastia. He returned to MLS with FC Dallas in 2005 and was traded to D.C. last year, but became surplus to requirements after United added defenders Gonzalo Peralta and Gonzalo Martinez.
News of Vanney’s trade follows the shock retirement of L.A. defender Ty Harden. The 23-year-old played just one season with the Galaxy, but became an integral part of the team’s central defense towards the end of the season. According to Galarcep, Harden retired to work for a charitable organization, saying he had lost his passion for the game. His decision left the salary cap-strapped Galaxy in a difficult position, because Harden was extremely good value for the low salary the club was paying him — exactly the kind of player the Galaxy needed because David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Carlos Ruiz take up more than half the team’s salary.