TRANSFER TRACKER: Signing
Not long after the LA Galaxy made a big splash with the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, their crosstown rival made some waves of their own.
On Tuesday, LAFC announced the acquisition of Andre Horta from Portuguese club Benfica.
Horta, a 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder currently on loan at SC Braga, will be the expansion club's third Designated Player, along with Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi.
“André is a player we identified quite some time ago as someone we felt would be the right fit for LAFC,” said LAFC EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager John Thorrington, in a team statement. “We are grateful for the support of ownership, and the acquisition of André is yet another statement of the type of club and team we are building. It is rare, if not unprecedented, for a player of his age, pedigree, and options to join MLS, and we know he will make our city and fans proud.”
LAFC take on the Galaxy in Saturday's inaugural showdown (3 pm ET | FOX - Full TV & streaming info), though Horta's addition to the roster is pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
At Braga this season, Horta appeared in 15 league matches, tallying one goal and six assists after posting a goal and an assist in 10 league matches for Benfica the year prior. The 5-foot-9 midfielder has made 22 appearances for Portuguese youth international teams.
“André is a technically gifted player with enormous versatility,” said head coach Bob Bradley. “He is young and dynamic, and with his experience in Portugal we believe he will continue to develop into a top-class player.”
LAFC had been linked to Horta since the preseason, with MLSsoccer.com’s Sam Stejskalreporting in February that the expansion club was trying to sign him then. Per ESPN FC’s Jeff Carlisle, the transfer fee was substantial.
