TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
LAFC have not been shied from signing attacking pieces in the inaugural season and on they have again added to their options.
The Black-and-Gold signed US youth international Josh Perez from Serie A side Fiorentina on Wednesday. He will be added to the club’s supplemental roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Born in Montebello, Perez, returns home to Southern California after spending the last three years playing in Italy. He originally signed a four-year contract with Fiorentina in 2016 after spending three seasons (2011-13) in the Chivas USA youth system.
“Josh is a young player of great promise who we feel has a bright future here at LAFC,” said EVP of Soccer Operations and general manager, John Thorrington. “We are delighted to welcome Josh back home to Southern California and look forward to helping him advance his career at both club and international levels.”
While with Fiorentina’s U-19 side, Perez appeared in 46 matches in the Italian Campionato Primavera 1, scoring 17 goals and adding 14 assists across all competitions. He made his Serie A debut in a 4-2 loss against Inter Milan on November 28, 2016. In August 2017, Perez was loaned to Italian Serie C side A.S. Livorno Calcio, where he would go on to tally three assists in 25 matches.
“Josh is a talented young forward with meaningful experience in Europe who will bolster our attacking options moving forward,” said LAFC head coach Bob Bradley.
The 5-foot-5 forward was a member of the US U-17 FIFA World Cup squad in 2015 and has come through the ranks of US youth soccer, earning call-ups to the U-17, U-19 and U-20 teams. He is the nephew of former USMNT midfielder Hugo Perez.
