The reigning MLS champions snapped up four new players and two from their 2011 roster, securing Boyens, goalkeeper Jon Conway, defender Chris Leitch and forward Pat Noonan, as well as returning Galaxy players Dasan Robinson and Frankie Hejduk.
All teams who selected players on Monday will have seven days to make a contract offer while players who were not taken can be negotiated with on a first-come, first-served basis.
Several MLS veterans were not taken, a list that includes the league’s all-time leading goalscorer Jeff Cunningham. Also neglected in the draft were Bouna Coundoul, Chris Albright, Stefani Miglioranzi and Pat Phelan.
Boyens’ switch to the Galaxy will open a new chapter in a senior career that began with a stint at New Zealand side Dunedin Technical in 2002. The 193cm centre-back broke into the MLS ranks when he was selected by Toronto FC as the 10th overall selection in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft and he spent one season with the Reds, making 23 appearances and scoring one goal.
He signed for the New York Red Bulls after being released by Toronto and was traded to Chivas USA in 2011.
But he played only 12 times for the club – at which he was joined by fellow All White Simon Elliott – and, at the conclusion of the 2011 season, was included on the list of players the Goats were offloading in the Re-Entry draft.
The 28-year-old joins several super stars at the Galaxy, whose squad includes the likes of David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan. He will also link up with fellow New Zealander Dan Keat, a former captain of the national U-20 side.
Boyens is expected to provide cover for the first choice defensive pairing of Omar Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza and appears to have his strongest chance yet of collecting some silverware. Managed by former United States coach Bruce Arena, the LA Galaxy are regarded as the top club in the country and are the reigning MLS Cup and MLS Supporters’ Shield champions.

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