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LA Galaxy close to signing Jelle Van Damme from Standard Liege

Standard Liege manager Yannick Ferrera has confirmed that club captain Jelle Van Damme is on the verge of sealing a move to LA Galaxy.

Van Damme, 32, was left out of Standard's squad for their 2-0 win at Lokeren on Sunday and later said goodbye to the Belgian club's fans via Instagram.

It had been unclear whether Van Damme would leave after sources told ESPN FC that former England international Ashley Cole is set to join the Galaxy on a non-Designated Player deal. 

But the combative left-back's five-year stay in Liege appeared to be drawing to a close when Standard officially announced the signing of Cameroonian defender Collins Fai on Saturday.

Ferrera then told La Derniere Heure following the Lokeren game that Van Damme, who has won 31 caps for Belgium, had agreed on a move to California late last week.

"It's not yet official but Jelle let us know that he's leaving and that LA Galaxy didn't want him to play this Sunday," the Standard boss said.

Standard still have to confirm an agreement over the terms of the transfer but it seems that after playing at Ajax, Southampton, Werder Bremen and Wolves, Van Damme is ready for a new adventure overseas.

To ALL supporters of Standard de liège..i love you ALL and i will miss you ALL!!!You are the best!!!thanks for everything!!��⚪️rouche un jour rouche pour toujours!!merci pour tous!!!��⚪️��⚪️��⚪️

A photo posted by Jelle Van Damme (@jelle_van_damme) on

Should Van Damme finalise a switch to MLS, he would be following in the footsteps of an ex-Standard player.

Last year Laurent Ciman left Les Rouches for Montreal Impact and in November the 30-year-old former Belgium international was named 2015 MLS Defender of the Year. 

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