Jose Cifuentes

HOW ACQUIRED: Transferred from America de Quito and signed using Targeted Allocation Money on January 13, 2020.

Cifuentes is a young defensive midfielder who has experienced at the club and international levels. He should be a big for LAFC in the coming years.

INTERNATIONAL: In 19 appearances for Ecuador’s U-20 side, Cifuentes played 1,701 out of a possible 1,740 minutes. Alongside LAFC teammate Diego Palacios, Cifuentes won the 2019 South American U-20 Championship and placed third at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup last summer. Cifuentes made his senior debut during a 1-0 victory over Peru on September 6, 2019, playing the last nine minutes of the international friendly. He would earn his first start a month later, playing all 90 minutes of a 6-1 defeat against Argentina on October 13.

OUTSIDE MLS: Cifuentes arrives in MLS after spending the last two campaigns with Ecuadorian Serie A side, CD América. In 2019, Cifuentes appeared in 17 league contests and two cup matches. The 5-foot-9 defensive midfielder began his career in 2016 with CD Universidad Católica, making his first team debut on July 17 during a 2-2 draw against Fuerza Amarilla. Cifuentes would play in six matches with Universidad Católica before his transfer to CD América.