TRANSFER TRACKER: Signing
LAFC have again turned to Uruguay when scanning the international transfer market, officially announcing on Monday afternoon that they have reached a deal with Montevideo Wanderers central midfielder Francisco Ginella using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).
Though the remaining terms of the deal were not disclosed by the team, an earlier report from Uruguayan outlet Urugol indicated that the Black & Gold agreed a four-year deal with the Uruguayan youth international, acquiring 75% of his rights for $2.5 million.
Ginella, 20, has featured in 25 matches for Montevideo Wanderers, scoring once and assisting on one occasion. He’s also managed 14 appearances with Uruguay’s U-20 national team, including three last summer as they made the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland. He was recently called in by Uruguay's U-23 team ahead of the 2020 Conmebol Pre-Olympic Tournament, too.
“At just 20 years old, Francisco brings a meaningful amount of experience at the professional and youth international levels,” said LAFC EVP & General Manager John Thorrington in a team statement. “It is exciting for our club to sign a player of his quality and potential, and we are confident Francisco will prove to be a great fit for LAFC as we look ahead to our third season.”
At the U-20 World Cup, Ginella played alongside LAFC’s star summer signing, winger Brian Rodriguez. Ahead of their inaugural season in 2018, the Black & Gold signed his compatriot, forward Diego Rossi, from Penarol, the same club Rodriguez played for.
With Lee Nguyen selected by Inter Miami CF in the Expansion Draft, the 2019 Supporters’ Shield winners could be looking to bolster their midfield. Stalwarts such as Eduard Atuesta, Mark-Anthony Kaye and Latif Blessing all return for 2020, though some depth is needed and Ginella could supply exactly that.
2020 LAFC Roster as of December 10, 2019:
HEAD COACH: Bob Bradley
FORWARDS (8):
- Diomande, Adama
- Musovski, Danny
- Perez, Adrien
- Perez, Josh
- Rodriguez, Brian
- Rossi, Diego
- Vela, Carlos
- Zelaya, Rodolfo
MIDFIELDERS (4):
- Atuesta, Eduard
- Blessing, Latif
- Guido, Alejandro
- Kaye, Mark-Anthony
DEFENDERS (6):
- Blackmon, Tristan
- El-Munir, Mohamed
- Palacios, Diego
- Segura, Eddie
- Silva, Danilo
- Zimmerman, Walker
GOALKEEPERS (1):
- Sisniega, Pablo
