CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA today announced the acquisition of Brazilian midfielder Paulo Nagamura in a trade with Toronto FC. In exchange, Chivas USA sends its first-round 2008 MLS SuperDraft pick to Toronto. A central midfielder, Nagamura is eligible to play in Chivas USA's next league match, this Sunday versus D.C. United at RFK Stadium in the Nation's Capital (Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 noon PT; Local pregame @ 11:30 a.m. PT on FSN WEST and KTNQ 1020 AM Univision Radio; National TV: TeleFutura; Web: MLSLIVE.tv).
"Paulo is a talented player who will add considerable depth to our midfield," said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki. "His track record in this league speaks for itself. We look forward to his future contributions to Chivas USA."
Born March 2, 1983 in São Paulo, Brazil, Paulo Nagamura began his professional career with the youth ranks of hometown club São Paulo FC, where his teammates included AC Milan midfielder Kaká. In 2001, Nagamura was sold to Arsenal FC of the English Premier League, where he made an immediate impact with the club's youth and reserve sides, including helping lead Arsenal to an England U-19 club championship in 2002.
In 2005, Nagamura joined Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy, where he won an MLS Cup championship in his first season, while playing 25 regular-season games (24 starts), registering 2 assists in 2005. He would also play 4 postseason matches for the Galaxy, going the full 120 minutes in the MLS Cup final. On November 17, 2006, Nagamura was selected by Toronto FC in the 2006 MLS Expansion Draft. He has started all four of Toronto FC's games so far in 2007.
In all, in little over two seasons in MLS, Nagamura, a central midfielder, has played in 58 regular-season games (54 starts), logging 4,754 minutes and registering 6 assists.
In related news, Chivas USA announced that defender Carlos Llamosa has been placed on the club's Season-Ending Injury list. Llamosa, 37, underwent reconstructive surgery on April 20 after suffering a partial tear of his left ACL. The veteran of eight MLS seasons and former U.S. National Team player had yet to play for Chivas USA in 2007.
TRANSACTIONS: Chivas USA acquires MF Paulo Nagamura from Toronto FC in exchange for Chivas' first-round 2008 MLS SuperDraft pick. Chivas USA places D Carlos Llamosa on its Season-Ending Injury list.
Name: Paulo Roberto Nagamura
Number:
Position: Mediocampista/Midfielder
Date of birth: 1983-03-02, São Paulo, Brazil
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Citizenship: Brazil
Weight: 70 kg / 155 lbs
Height: 1.73 m / 5'8"
Last team: Toronto FC (MLS)
Acquired: Trade with Toronto FC, May 4, 2007, in exchange for Chivas USA's natural first-round pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft
