LOS ANGELES (Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019)– The LA Galaxy have acquired 21-year-old Mexican International Uriel Antuna on a year-long loan from England’s Manchester City, the club announced today. Antuna joins the Galaxy after playing last season on loan in the Eredivisie, Netherlands’ top division, for FC Groningen. He will occupy an International roster spot and be added pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.
“Uriel is a talented, young and dynamic midfielder who we think can add to our attack,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. “He has experience playing in for clubs in Mexico, England and the Netherlands and will only continue to develop and improve as a player. We are excited to add him to our roster and believe he can offer something positive to our team.”
Antuna, 21, developed through the Santos Laguna Academy in the early stages of his career, joining their group in 2012. After representing the youth side on various levels, Antuna made his Liga MX debut in for the senior team in 2017.
Later that year, the Mexico International signed with Manchester City of the English Premier League. He was loaned out to FC Groningen in the Eredivisie. During his time there, Antuna made 20 total appearances in Netherlands’ top-flight division, while adding 19 appearances, five goals and two assists for Groningen’s U-21 side.
Internationally, Antuna has featured for various Mexico Youth National Teams, including the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he was a key member on both squads. In 2018, the winger was a member of the U-21 Mexico Squad that reached the final, starting in all five matches. Antuna earned his first senior call up the Mexico National Team in November of 2017 for friendlies against Belgium in Poland under manager Juan Carlos Osorio.
Antuna and the LA Galaxy will begin with the 2019 Home Opener at Dignity Health Sports Park when the Galaxy host Chicago Fire on Saturday, March 2 at 5 p.m. PT. Tickets to that match are on sale now, available here.
