CARSON, Calif. – The addition of English international Ashley Cole has been welcome news for the LA Galaxy. Sebastian Lletget, in fact, is still having a hard believing it.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who virtually came out of nowhere a year ago to become one of the club’s most pleasant surprises, said he was almost shocked when news first broke several weeks ago that the Galaxy were pursuing the veteran left back.
That news became official last Wednesday, when the 35-year-old Cole officially left Serie A power AS Roma and signed a contract with the five-time MLS Cup champions. Thursday and Friday marked his first training sessions with his new team, and Lletget is savoring the prospect of linking up with former Premier League standout.
Lletget, a left-sided midfielder, figures to team up with Cole and provide two dangerous attacking options on the flank this season.
“He’s been fantastic so far from what I’ve seen,” Lletget said.
The Galaxy’s Steven Gerrard said he believes Cole, his former teammate on the English national team, will waste no time in making his mark in this country.
“He’ll be, for sure, one of the best left backs in the league, if not the best,” Gerrard said. “For me, I played with him when he was world-class, probably the best left back in the world.
“I’m sure he still has a lot of that left in him. I’ve got every confidence he’ll be a top player.”
Lletget, who played in 20 games last season, including 17 starts, and finished with seven goals and two assists, said he can’t wait to play alongside his new teammate.
“I’m really looking forward to it, to be honest,” he said. “He’s going to be a great addition to our side. He has a lot of experience and he’s really going to help me out as a player and an individual.
“He’s going to bring that up-and-down mobility on our team. I’m going to come inside and I know he’ll be going down the side. It’s going to be nice.”
Lletget, who was signed out of West Ham United’s youth system said Cole will bring a little more stability to the left side of the defense. Not that Lletget and Robbie Rogers, who blossomed at left back a year ago, did not team up well last season, but Cole’s experience cannot be underestimated, Lletget pointed out.
“He’ll bring probably a little more composure,” he said. “You’ll feel a little more secure … you want that feeling behind you in the back four. You’re not scared to try things because they’re going to have your back.
“To have all that experience and bring it to the team, it’s great.”
Cole said he is looking forward to the change in sporting scenery.
“It’s a new challenge and new venture for me,” he said Friday. “I’ve always been born to play hard and win things, and my mindset is to come here and win trophies.”
