TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing
Los Angeles Football Club have signed Brian Rodriguez from Peñarol, making him the second young talent to join the Southern California club from the Uruguayan giants. The 19-year-old winger has signed a Young Designated Player contract and will be added to LAFC’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.
“Brian is an exciting and dynamic player who is one of the top talents in South America,” LAFC EVP & GM John Thorrington said in a club release. “Acquiring a player of Brian’s quality in this window is another powerful statement from LAFC about our commitment to winning and building a Club that excites our supporters.”
Rodriguez comes to MLS having worked his way into the first team, making 18 league appearances for Peñarol, in addition to playing in both the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. Capable of leading the line or working as a wide attacker who can score as well as set up teammates, Rodriguez was considered a top prospect at Peñarol and had reportedly drawn some transfer interest in Europe.
Rodriguez also made four appearances and scored two goals for Uruguay at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup earlier this year, where he scored two goals and added an assist. Alongside his transfer, LAFC and Peñarol have also entered into "a significant partnership" that includes a friendly match between the teams next year and "an exchange of coaching, academy and player resources."
Peñarol product Diego Rossi was one of LAFC's first acquisitions, as a Young DP signing in December 2017. He hasn't disappointed, scoring 25 goals to date in his MLS tenure. Rodriguez joins LAFC with the MLS side leading in the Supporters' Shield standings, with their next game coming up on Sunday at Banc of California Stadium against the New York Red Bulls (10 pm ET | FS1in US; TSN1/4 in Canada).
