After winning their sixth MLS Cup title on December 7, the LA Galaxy have added some new pieces to their squad as they head into the 2025 season.
Forward, #17 Christian Ramirez
Ramirez has had a long soccer journey that has led him back to Southern California.
“A dream come true to be able to come back and play for this club,” Ramirez said. “A club that I grew up idolizing, watching and hoping to one day be a part of and I never thought that I would get the chance to do so.”
The Santa Ana, Calif. native has played at nearly every level of U.S. Soccer, including earning two caps and scoring one goal for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Ramirez has also earned international experience at Aberdeen F.C. in Scotland where he played against the likes of Celtic, Rangers in the Scottish Premiership and even featured for the club in the UEFA Europa League.
Ramirez returned to MLS with the Columbus Crew, where he spent the last two seasons (2023-24), recording 23 goals and 12 assists in 77 matches played (47 starts) across all competitions and helping his team win MLS Cup 2023 and Leagues Cup 2024. Across his seven years in MLS, Ramirez has tallied 71 goal contributions (51 goals, 20 assists) in 160 league appearances (111 starts). Now, the 33-year-old hopes to bring his experience to the Galaxy as they look to defend their title.
“Some of the stuff that I learned last year during that journey I’ll try and help here with in terms of trying to stay mentally fresh and the load of the amount of games we’re going to play,” Ramirez said. “Just with my leadership and help guys come along and know that we have to take it one game at a time and with that in mind there’s a lot to play for this year and just enjoying the process.”
Forward, #9 Matheus Nascimento
The young Brazilian forward signed with the Galaxy on loan just ahead of the season-opener against San Diego FC. Joining from Brazilian Série A side Botafogo, Nascimento will occupy an MLS U22 Initiative roster spot and international roster spot.
The 20-year-old has featured for Botafogo in six seasons, debuting at just 16 years old, to become the youngest player in club history to make their debut for the club. As a professional, he has recorded 12 goals and 7 assists in 98 appearances (55 starts). Last season, Nascimento provided two assists en route to Botafogo’s Copa Libertadores-winning campaign.
Nascimento has played for Brazil at various youth levels, including at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he provided an assist in the Quarterfinal round against Israel.
"Matheus has been exposed to the highest level of professional competitions in South America since signing at 16 and has been a consistent part of the national team for Brazil at every youth age group," said LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz. "He is an exciting prospect that will be able to continue his development in our environment and we look forward to him integrating into our group for the start of the MLS season."
Midfielder, #8 Lucas Sanabria
The Uruguayan midfielder signed with the Galaxy in a five-year deal from Uruguayan Primera Division side Club Nacional de Football and will occupy an MLS U22 Initiative roster spot. The 21-year-old made his mark on the team in the preseason Coachella Valley Invitational (CVI), winning tackles in the midfield and helping initiate attacks.
A box-to-box midfielder, Sanabria will look to be the engine in the midfield for the Galaxy, providing help on both ends of the field.
“Lucas has shown exciting technical ability and intense competitiveness during his debut season with Nacional, which included multiple appearances in the Copa Libertadores, and his time with Uruguayan youth national teams,” Kuntz said.
Midfielder, #22 Elijah Wynder
Wynder joins the LA Galaxy from Louisville City FC in the USL Championship, where he was the USL Young Player of the Year.
Across all competitions, Wynder tallied 11 goals and three assists in 84 appearances (55 starts) over five years and notched six goals and two assists in 33 matches played (32 starts) in his award-winning season. Wynder says the jump to MLS competition in preseason wasn’t a major difference but found the passing and touches to be cleaner than what he was used to seeing with Louisville.
“Despite his young age, Elijah established himself as one of most talented players in the USL Championship,” Kuntz. “We are excited to be adding his athleticism, technical ability and competitiveness to our midfield and look forward to his continued development with the Galaxy.”
Playing in an attacking midfield role during CVI, Wynder grew a connection with Gabriel Pec on the left wing.
“He doesn’t speak English very well so I’m having to work off visual cues with him but we’re getting to know each other,” Wynder said.
Defender, #5 Zanka
Danish defender Mathias Jørgensen, who goes by “Zanka,” joined the Galaxy from Belgian Pro League side R.S.C. Anderlecht during the offseason.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining, obviously coming off a championship so to be able to be following the team’s recent success it’s great to be here and try to also be a factor in the way that we want 2025 to roll on,” Zanka said.
The experienced center back has played more than 500 professional matches in the top leagues of Belgium, Denmark, England, Germany, Netherlands and Turkey and has started 22 times and made 37 career appearances for the Danish Men’s National Team, including scoring a goal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 against Croatia.
Like several other of the new signings for the Galaxy, Zanka got to spend time with the team at CVI in preseason, playing in games and getting to know his new teammates.
“I think this is a great group of guys,” Zanka said. “From experienced guys, obviously Maya being a voice in that, to the young guys. Everyone’s just really opened up their arms and showing me the ropes. Obviously, it’s not my first rodeo but this side of the Atlantic is new for me so I’m really excited to be here and get to know these guys even better.”
Zanka, who is 34, is also looking forward to being in the City of Angels, a place he’s kept a close eye on from Europe over the years. A big sports fan, Zanka says he can’t wait to see major American sports leagues and teams in Los Angeles up close.
“The weather is a big driving factor of every European’s view on LA,” Zanka said. “Being over here, trying to soak up as much of the culture as there is. The sports being a big part of my life and my hobbies and what I like to do for entertainment and now I can actually go and see it and not be up at crazy times of night.”
Defender, #51 Ascel Essengue
Essengue joins the LA Galaxy first team after making 72 appearances for the club’s second team (LA Galaxy II, Ventura County FC) in the USL Championship (2021-22) and MLS NEXT Pro (2023-24).
In 2024, he started 29 of 30 matches he featured in and scored three goals for Ventura County FC across MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season, MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, and the U.S. Open Cup. The Yaoundé, Cameroon, native made 26 appearances for LA Galaxy II during the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season and will provide depth in the backline ahead of a long 2025 campaign for the LA Galaxy.
Goalkeeper, #12 JT Marcinkowski
Joining as a free-agent, JT Marcinkowski arrives with 96 appearances over five seasons for the Galaxy’s Cali Clasico rival San Jose Earthquakes.
The 27-year-old posted four shutouts and held a 1.22 goals-against average through 13 appearances (12 starts) for San Jose during the 2023 MLS Regular Season. His career-high five shutouts came in the 2021 season when he started and played in 33 matches and recorded 129 saves. A former US Youth National Team player, Marcinkowski has been called up for training with the USMNT first team and made the bench during an international friendly against El Salvador on Dec. 9, 2020.
“JT has a wealth of experience in MLS, much of that coming from competing against the Galaxy in numerous Cali Clasico matchups during his time with the San Jose Earthquakes,” LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz said of Marcinkowski. “He will provide valuable competition and depth at the goalkeeping position as we embark on this upcoming campaign.”
