CARSON, Calif. – Denzel Slager has his sights set on a title with LA Galaxy II after signing with the club on Wednesday.
The Dutch-born forward signed with Los Dos on Wednesday after making two appearances with the club during their 2016 preseason preparations. Slager joined Galaxy USL affiliate after an impressive 2015 season with the Orange County Blues which saw the Dutch midfielder make 21 appearances and score six goals with two assists for the USL outfit.
Despite his success with Orange County, Slager’s desire to test himself at the highest level ultimately led to his move to Galaxy II.
“That’s why I’m here. My goal is to play for the first team. That’s what I’m going for. That’s why I decided to make this step for me. That’s the goal,” Slager told LA Galaxy Insider. “This is a great organization. Everything is good over here. I think that I’m the type of player that I can adapt. My speed is very important. I can get my players in good spots to score goals. I have to do better here and I have to get the most out of myself.
“My first goal is to win the championship and also to hopefully score some goals and assists so that I can get to the first team.”
According to Galaxy II head coach Curt Onalfo, the former Orange County Blues attacker has all the tools to succeed at the next level, but it’ll be up to his staff to refine those skills.
“He’s got world-class speed, and now it is just a matter of getting him to understand how we play. We want to get him to be a little bit cleaner but with his shear athleticism he can create chances,” Onalfo said. “We’re going to help him become even more precise and more clinical in the things that he did, and we’re excited about his prospects.”
The 23-year-old joins Los Angeles with not only USL experience but a resume that includes stops in his native Netherlands and England. A youth product of Dutch side RKC Waalwijk, Slager spent two seasons with the club before moving on to Coventry City in 2014, where he made four appearances for the English side.
Just weeks into the preseason, Slager has already become engrained in the very close-knit Galaxy II locker room. With high hopes of winning a USL title and, eventually, locking down a place in the club’s first team, Slager believes that he’s in the right place to realize his ambitions.
“It feels like family for me. Everything is good in the locker rooms and the field. I’m very happy to be here,” Slager said. “This is a great team and I think we can win the championship, for sure. I’m excited to play here.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
