LOS ANGELES (Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022) –The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has signed Uruguayan National Team defender Martín Cáceres through the end of the 2022 MLS Regular Season with a club option for 2023 pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.
“Martín is a highly experienced and versatile defender that brings leadership, strong mentality and more championship pedigree to our team,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. “We look forward to quickly integrating him into the group for the final phase of the season.”
In 112 career appearances (38 starts) for the Uruguay Men’s National Team, Cáceres, 35, has tallied three goals and six assists, including starting and playing 88 minutes in his country’s 3-0 win over Paraguay in the 2011 Copa América Final. The Montevideo, Uruguay, native most recently made 10 appearances (7 starts) in 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, helping Uruguay qualify for its 14th FIFA World Cup. Cáceres has played in three FIFA World Cups, featuring for a Uruguayan side that reached the Semifinal of the tournament in 2010, the Round of 16 in 2014 and the Quarterfinals in 2018. Cáceres tallied one goal and one assist in 24 games played (18 starts) played during the 2021-22 campaign split between Levante UD in LaLiga and Cagliari Calcio in Serie A.
“We’re excited to bring Martín to the Galaxy as he brings a wealth of experience to the club,” said LA Galaxy Technical Director Jovan Kirovski. “He played at a high level in Serie A and LaLiga last season and played a key role in Uruguay’s qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. We are thrilled to have a player of his caliber on our club for this stretch run to the playoffs.”
At the club level, Cáceres has logged 21 goals and 15 assists in 366 appearances in the top leagues of England, Italy, Spain and Uruguay. During his 15-year professional career, Cáceres has played for Defensor Sporting Club (2006-07), Recreativo Huelva (2007-08), FC Barcelona (2008-09), Juventus FC (2009-10, 2011-2016, 2018-2019), Sevilla FC (2010-12), Southampton FC (2016-17), Hellas Verona (2017-18), SS Lazio (2017-2019), ACF Fiorentina (2019-2021), Cagliari Calcio (2021-22) and Levante UD (2021-22).
Notably, Cáceres won the treble (UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey) with FC Barcelona during the 2008-09 campaign. Additionally, Cáceres contributed to Juventus’two Coppa Italia trophies (2014-15, 2015-16), two Supercoppa Italiana victories (2013, 2015) and six Serie A titles (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2018-19).
Transaction: LA Galaxy sign free agent defender Martín Cáceres for the remainder of the 2022 MLS Regular Season with a club option for 2023 on Aug. 24, 2022.
Martín Cáceres
Position: Defender
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
Date Of Birth: April 7, 1987
Age: 35
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Last Club: Levante UD (Spain)
Citizenship: Uruguay
Acquired: Signed for the remainder of the 2022 MLS Regular Season on Aug. 24, 2022.
