LOS ANGELES (Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017)
– LA Galaxy II have signed LA Galaxy Academy’s
Efrain Alvarez
, the club announced today. Alvarez, 15, joins LA Galaxy II ahead of his sophomore year with the LA Galaxy Academy and becomes the youngest signing in USL history.
Alvarez, a native of Los Angeles, becomes the youngest signing in USL history at 15 years, one month and 14 days, topping the USL’s previous record of 15 years, three months and three days when Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 signed Alphonso Davies in February 2016.In November 2014, LA Galaxy II goalkeeper Eric Lopez became the youngest player to sign a USL contract at the age of 15 years and eight months.
“Efrain is a landmark signing for this club and a sign of the quality coming through the LA Galaxy Academy,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Pete Vagenas. “We will continue to position him in the appropriate daily environment as we look to progress his maturation both on and off the field. We look forward to his professional development as a member of LA Galaxy II.”
LA Galaxy II sign Alvarez after he helped lead the LA Galaxy Academy U-17/18s to the USSDA Championships at StubHub Center in July, scoring in the team’s quarterfinal, semifinal and championship matches.
“We are very excited to have Efrain begin his professional soccer career with LA Galaxy II,” said LA Galaxy II Head Coach Mike Muñoz. “He is an extremely talented player who has set himself apart during his time in our Academy and he will continue to improve as a player at the professional level.”
Last year, Alvarez participated in the Mexican National Team’s Youth Training Camp in September of 2016, before joining the Mexico U-15s for the Rimini Cup in Germany in last June. Previously, Alvarez has represented the U.S., spending time with the U-14s and U-15s. He led the U.S. U-15s to the International Festival of Fútbol title in Argentina in April 2016, scoring four goals in three matches. Alvarez is currently in Mexico, training with the Mexican Boys’ Youth National Team.
LA Galaxy II will return to the pitch at 7:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium against Orange County SC. Tickets to the match are available for purchase at
www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/lagalaxyii
.
