LOS ANGELES (Friday, Feb. 17, 2023) – The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has transferred defender Julián Araujo to FC Barcelona. Additionally, the Galaxy will retain a sell-on percentage of the transfer fee if Araujo is sold to another club.
“Julián joining FC Barcelona is a great story of a young kid from Southern California coming into the LA Galaxy Academy, through LA Galaxy II and excelling with the First Team,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney. “As we continue to evolve as a club, we’re leaning heavily into the LA Galaxy Academy development side. We are going to help develop players who can play at the biggest clubs in the world, but can also help the LA Galaxy win championships. We wish Julián all the best in the next phase of his career.”
Araujo, 21, tallied two goals and 20 assists in 108 games played (96 starts) across all competitions in four seasons with the LA Galaxy (2019-22). In 100 career MLS regular-season appearances (89 starts) with LA, the Lompoc, Calif., native tallied one goal and 20 assists across 7,729 minutes played. During the 2022 campaign, Araujo recorded a career-high nine assists and added one goal in 39 games played (35 starts) across all competitions for the Galaxy. Notably, Araujo was a two-time MLS All-Star honoree (2021, 2022), a two-time LA Galaxy Humanitarian of the Year (2020, 2021) and was named a finalist for the MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year in 2021.
In his first season with LA in 2019, Araujo logged one assist in 18 MLS appearances (10 starts). The following year, the defender recorded one goal and three assists in 17 league games (17 starts). During the 2021 campaign, Araujo notched seven assists in 32 games played (32 starts).
In 2018, Araujo joined the LA Galaxy Academy from the Barça Residency Academy and went on to make two appearances as a substitute for LA Galaxy II during the 2018 USL regular season.
At the international level, Araujo has made three appearances (2 starts) for the Mexican National Team since making his debut against Chile on Aug. 13, 2021.
Transaction: LA Galaxy transfer defender Julián Araujo to FC Barcelona on Feb. 17, 2023.
