Lane United FC Sporting Director and Head Coach John Galas is heading to the Spanish Segunda División B.

Galas will join Villarreal CF B as an assistant coach from mid-November to late January, returning in time to prepare for the 2017 PDL regular season. Galas has been in charge of Lane United since 2014, previously holding coaching positions at the NWSL's Portland Thorns FC, MLS's Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake Academy.

“I liken it to an educational trip as much as it is a coaching opportunity,” Galas said. “Learning more of the methodology, working with top-level players and helping any way I can. It’s a pretty rare opportunity for an American coach, so I’m pretty fortunate.”

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Galas led Lane United to a 3-5-6 record in 2016, earning a 1-0 win against Calgary Foothills FC – which won the Northwest Division en route to a 2016 PDL Championship appearance.

“The connections and network we’ll continue to develop over there will be very helpful,” Galas said. “Hopefully we can source some players from Villarreal directly and establish a formal partnership with them. I think that will be very beneficial.”

Villarreal B, the reserve team of Spanish Primera División's Villarreal CF, is currently 2-3-3. The club is led by Paco López, a former Spanish player.