The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed 21-year-old forward Gyasi Zardes as a Homegrown Player.

A native of Hawthorne, Calif., Zardes scored 38 goals during a three-year college career at CSU Bakersfield, finishing as one of the top goal scorers in the NCAA in each of the last two years when he tallied 33 goals in 37 games. Prior to attending college, Zardes represented the Galaxy at the Under-18 and Under-20 level, helping the U-20's reach the USL Super-20 Final in 2010 and finishing as their top scorer that year.

Zardes becomes the second Homegrown Player signed by the Galaxy since the end of the 2012 season, along with defender Oscar Sorto, who was signed by the club earlier this month. Those two will join fellow Homegrown Players Jack McBean and Jose Villarreal on the Galaxy roster in 2013. Tristan Bowen, who became the Galaxy's first-ever Homegrown Player in 2008, spent two seasons with the club before being traded to Chivas USA ahead of the start of the 2011 MLS campaign.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to join the LA Galaxy. The chance to play in front of family and friends and alongside the likes of Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan truly is a dream come true," Zardes. "I would like to sincerely thank the Galaxy, MLS, Cal-State University Bakersfield and Wasserman for their support and belief in me. I would also like to thank God without whom I would certainly not be where I am today. I am looking forward to working hard and helping the Galaxy defend their MLS Cup title next season."