LOS ANGELES (Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023) – The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has acquired midfielder Diego Fagundez from Austin FC in exchange for midfielder Memo Rodríguez and $300,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM). The Galaxy could receive up to $150,000 in conditional GAM if certain performance metrics are met by Rodríguez, while Austin could receive up to $600,000 in conditional GAM if certain performance metrics are met by Fagundez.
Fagundez, 28, has tallied 68 goals and 67 assists in 347 career regular-season appearances (262 starts) across 13 seasons played in MLS (2011-Present). Fagundez tallied six goals and ranked tied for second in MLS with 15 assists in 34 regular-season appearances (32 starts) for Austin FC during the 2022 campaign. In 19 league appearances (14 starts) for Austin FC in 2023, Fagundez has recorded two goals and two assists. Notably, Fagundez is one of 11 players in MLS history to record 65 goals and 65 assists in regular-season play.
“Diego is a talented, versatile and hard-working player who has consistently produced on the attacking side. We are pleased to bring him into the team as we see him sliding seamlessly into our style of play,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney. “Memo was a pleasure to work with and we wish him and his family nothing but the best.”
The Montevideo, Uruguay, native joined Austin FC as a free agent for the 2021 campaign, tallying seven goals and five assists in 33 regular-season appearances (30 starts) during the club’s inaugural season. Prior to joining Austin FC, Fagundez spent 10 seasons with the New England Revolution (2011-20), where he recorded 53 goals and 45 assists in 261 appearances (186 starts). Fagundez became the youngest player in MLS history to reach 100 league appearances in for New England against the Chicago Fire on June 13, 2015. The midfielder signed as a Homegrown Player with the Revolution at the age of 15 in 2010 and debuted professionally as a 16-year-old the following year as a substitute against Chivas USA on Aug. 6, 2011.
Rodríguez, 27, recorded three goals and one assist in 16 games played (10 starts) across all competitions for the LA Galaxy during the 2023 campaign, after signing as a free agent with the club on Jan. 5, 2023. The Wharton, Texas, native joined the Galaxy after tallying 21 goals and 15 assists in 148 games played (92 starts) across all competitions for Houston Dynamo FC (2015, 2017 – 22). Last season, Rodríguez logged three assists for Houston in 30 regular-season appearances (18 starts) in 2022.
Transaction: LA Galaxy acquire midfielder Diego Fagundez from Austin FC in exchange for midfielder Memo Rodríguez and $300,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money on Aug. 1, 2023.
Diego Fagundez
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 140
Date Of Birth: Feb. 14, 1995
Age: 28
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Last Club: Austin FC (MLS)
Citizenship: United States / Uruguay
Acquired: Acquired from Austin FC in exchange for midfielder Memo Rodríguez and $300,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money on Aug. 1, 2023.
