The Portland Hearts of Pine have signed French center back Séga Coulibaly, 29, who made 42 starts and played in 49 matches for the Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS from 2021-23.

The Hearts of Pine made the announcement Tuesday. Pending league and federation approval, the 6-foot Coulibaly will be eligible to play in Wednesday’s home USL League One match against AV Alta at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

Coulibaly signed a pro contract with French club Rennes II shortly after turning 20, playing 143 matches for a variety of teams before signing with the Galaxy in June of 2021. Coulibaly made 17 starts with Los Angeles in 2021, another 24 in 2022, and one start and three appearances over the first 18 matches in 2023 before being released following a season-ending knee injury. Coulibaly was not with a team in 2024. This season he had been with LB Châteauroux, a French fourth-tier club.

Born in Mali, Coulibaly moved to France when he was 6 years old and made 20 appearances with the France’s U16 through U20 teams.

Hearts of Pine coach Bobby Murphy said in the club announcement that “it’s a credit to the club and the league that a player of (Coulibaly’s) quality and experience would choose to come here.”