LA Galaxy sign longtime Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto through 2028

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Spanish midfielder Sergi Roberto has joined Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy with a two-year contract through 2028.

The Galaxy announced the deal Saturday with the 34-year-old Roberto, who spent the past two seasons at Serie A's Como following the conclusion of his 18-year career at Barcelona in 2024. His Galaxy contract contains an option for the 2028-29 season.

“Sergi brings a combination of leadership, technical quality, tactical intelligence and championship experience that few players have,” Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz said in a statement. “He has been a key member of some of the greatest teams of his generation and understands not only what it takes to win, but what it means to be a winning team. Sergi’s character, positional versatility, and leadership will be invaluable.”

Roberto was a resourceful central midfielder for Barcelona's dominant teams built around Lionel Messi throughout the 2010s, earning 25 trophies in all competitions with the Blaugrana.

After making his first-team debut at 18 years old, he recorded 19 goals and 43 assists in 373 appearances, culminating in a year as Barça's captain in 2023-24. The club won seven La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns during his tenure.

Roberto then moved to Como to play two seasons under former teammate Cesc Fàbregas, playing a role in the club's first qualification for the Champions League.

Roberto will join German star Marco Reus in the Galaxy midfield. He will also be reunited with former Barcelona teammate Riqui Puig, who is expected to return for LA in 2027 after missing two straight seasons due to injury.

The Galaxy are sitting 12th in the Western Conference standings during another disappointing season, but they are making moves in an attempt to finish strong before moving into 2027 with a revamped roster. Since winning their record sixth MLS Cup title in 2024, the Galaxy have won just 12 of their 53 subsequent MLS matches.

The Galaxy acquired Roberto one day after agreeing to a loan deal for Mexican forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano from San Diego FC.

While Roberto was a key contributor at Barcelona for over a decade, he has made only 11 international appearances for Spain, which had many of soccer's greatest midfielders during his prime, including Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets.

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FILE - Barcelona's Sergi Roberto celebrates his sides third goal scored by Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski during the Champions League, round of 16, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, March 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, File)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro offensive lineman Lane Johnson said Saturday that his 14th season would “probably” be his last.

Johnson missed four days of training camp this week for personal reasons before he returned Friday.

The 36-year-old Johnson was a first-round pick in 2013 and was a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and 2022. He earned second-team honors in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Johnson took a leave of absence during the 2021 season as he battled anxiety and depression and has since shared his story at mental health clinics in the area.

He said his latest leave had more to do with family issues, specifically taking care of his parents, and that his priorities had shifted more toward life outside football.

“I'm looking potentially this is probably going to be my last year,” Johnson said after Saturday's practice. “Just because I am getting to that point of, those priorities away from football are starting to merge. Not that I don't enjoy (it), I love everything about this game, preparing for it, but it's kind of where I'm at in my career.”

Johnson has been a pillar at right tackle and won a pair of Super Bowls with the Eagles.

“I still feel like I can be a premier tackle in this league,” Johnson said. “My movement and everything feels good.”

Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, said his potential retirement came into focus last season after conversations with his family and an injury-plagued season. He missed Philadelphia’s final seven regular-season games and the wild-card playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Johnson was suspended for 10 games by the NFL in 2016 for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. He was also suspended the first four games of the 2014 season for violating the policy.

He said his teammates already knew he was considering ending his career.

“I feel like planning on having a really good last year,” Johnson said. “I'm trying to soak in these last six months, seven months.”

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FILE - Philadelphia Eagles' Lane Johnson speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)