LOS ANGELES – The courtship was long, but finally, the LA Galaxy got their man on Thursday when the club announced the acquisition of forward Cristian Pavon from Boca Juniors.
The 23-year-old Argentina international joins the Galaxy on loan from Club Atlético Boca Juniors. The forward arrives with a brilliant pedigree having played over 100 games while scoring a combined 60 goals and assists during his professional career.
The move reunites him with former head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto who helped him discover his the best form of his career en route to a spot on Argentina's 2018 FIFA World Cup team.
After signing with the Galaxy, he took note to thank Schelotto for his role in helping him head to Los Angeles.
“I was with him in Boca Juniors, and the truth is he always treated me well," he says of the LA Galaxy boss. "He always worked well and helped me a lot to be able to make me being here possible. He also helped me a lot in me making it to the World Cup, so I will always be very thankful to him.”
“The truth is the process [of signing] was long; the wait was long. Luckily I am here now, and I will try to enjoy and give my best in every game I play and in every training session.”
Pavon joins a Galaxy team eager to add in attacking punch after an up-and-down first half of the season that saw the club reliant on striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The 23-year-old brings his own attacking acumen having tallied 28 goals and adding 32 assists with Boca Juniors since joining the club in 2014.
“I am a winger, I like to play on the left wing and cut inside and shoot if there’s a possibility," he said of his role. "I can also play on the right and send it crosses to my teammates, but I feel the most comfortable on the left because I have the possibility of shooting to the goal.”
Now in Los Angeles, Pavon is eager to recapture his top form while leading the Galaxy to another MLS Cup title.
"I will try to first adapt in the best way and [because at] Boca I was in top form, and now I want to try to find that level here and try to be better here at the Galaxy.
"I will try to give my best, win everything with the Galaxy and give it my all.”
