LOS ANGELES: Belgian international Jelle Van Damme is heading home as the Los Angeles Galaxy confirmed Friday he was leaving the Major League Soccer Club for Antwerp.
The Galaxy said they had completed the transfer, receiving $235,000 from Antwerp for the 33-year-old central defender who had played for the Galaxy since 2016.
"Jelle came to us and requested to return home to Belgium to be closer to his children," Galaxy general manager Pete Vagenas said in a statement released by the club."
"We worked closely with Jelle and Royal Antwerp so that we could make this move possible for Jelle and his family. Our top priority remains the success of the LA Galaxy. We thank him for his time with our club and wish him the best going forward."
Van Damme made 46 appearances, all starts, for the Galaxy and was a two-time All-Star in his time in MLS.
The team captain this year, he was the Galaxy's defender of the year last season.