LOS ANGELES (Friday, March 1, 2019)– The LA Galaxy have signed U.S. Youth National Team and LA Galaxy Academy defender Julian Araujo, the club announced today. Araujo, 17, signs his first professional contract with the club. The Galaxy selected Araujo off waivers after trading $50,000 in Targeted Allocation Money to the Colorado Rapids for the No. 1 spot in the Waiver Order in an earlier transaction.
“Julian is one of the best young defenders in Southern California and we’re thrilled that he’s chosen to begin his professional career with the LA Galaxy,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. “When we have Academy players like Julian that are good enough for the first team, we will sign them to the first team. Our club’s structure and mentality will allow a young player like Julian to develop into a top first-team talent. We would also like to thank Santa Barbara Soccer Club and Barca Residency Academy for their role in his development as a person and a player.”
Before joining the LA Galaxy Boys’ Academy, Araujo attended Lompoc High School, leading his team to the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs during the 2016/17 season. He later earned All-West Conference Best XI honors as a defender. Araujo also spent time playing for the Santa Barbara Soccer Club and the Barca Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona.
Internationally, the native of Lompoc, Calif., has spent time with the U.S. Soccer Youth National Team. Most recently, Araujo was named to the U.S. U-20 roster for the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championship, where his team won their second straight Concacaf U-20 title with a 2-0 victory against Mexico. Most recently, he was called into U.S. U-19 training camp in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
Araujo and the LA Galaxy will begin with the 2019 Home Opener at Dignity Health Sports Park when the Galaxy host Chicago Fire on Saturday, March 2 at 5 p.m. PT. Tickets to that match are on sale now, available here.
