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Published Tue, Feb 07, 2012 02:24 PM
Modified Tue, Feb 07, 2012 02:24 PM

Juninho, Leonardo return to Galaxy

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By Sports Network - The Sports Network

The Los Angeles Galaxy announced Tuesday that Brazilian duo Juninho and Leonardo will return to the club from Brasileiro side Sao Paulo, as Juninho rejoins the club on a season-long loan and Leonardo signs on a free transfer. Per league and club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Juninho has played a major role in the Galaxy's success over the past two seasons, starting 55 regular season games and six of the club's seven postseason matches.

The 23-year-old recorded four goals and two assists in 30 regular season games for Los Angeles in the 2011 season while forming a formidable partnership in the center of midfield with David Beckham.

Juninho signed a contract extension with Sao Paulo following the 2011 MLS season and began training with the first team in early January, but he is now set to return to Southern California ahead of the Galaxy's preseason trip to Arizona.

Leonardo, who turned 24 on Sunday, enjoyed a central role at the heart of the Galaxy defense to the start of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, but was limited by injuries as the season progressed. The six-foot-two Sao Paulo native has made 17 appearances for the Galaxy out of a possible 64 through the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

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