CARSON, CA (January 13, 2017) – The LA Galaxy have signed a sixth Homegrown player to a senior level contract. Defender Hugo Arellano joins the Galaxy as a former Academy product. The 18-year-old joins the club after spending 2016 with LA Galaxy II, where he made eight appearances.
LA Galaxy Sign Hugo Arellano To Homegrown Contract
Arellano joins Gyasi Zardes, Jose Villarreal, Raul Mendiola, Bradford Jamieson IV and Jack McBean as former academy players on the LA Galaxy roster. The Norwalk, CA native was with the Galaxy academy as early as last year. Prior to signing a USL contract with Los Dos, he was with the Galaxy U-18 squad.
He has been capped with the U.S. Men’s National Team at the U-17 and U-20 level, while also participating in the 2015 U-17 FIFA World Cup.
Galaxy Head Coach Curt Onalfo spoke very highly of the defender: “Hugo is a young, talented defender who we have seen develop as a member of our Academy and LA Galaxy II. In addition to his time with Los Dos, he is highly regarded at the youth international level and we look forward to seeing him continue to grow both on and off the field as a member of the Galaxy.”
It’s unclear how much playing time Arellano could get in 2017. With A.J. DeLaGarza being traded (more on that here), Ashley Cole and Robbie Rogers will undoubtedly be the starters for the beginning of the season. The only other outside back on the roster is Dave Romney, who’s played mostly at left back.
Arellano could work into a back up right back role. At worst, he could get loaned back down to Los Dos, where he could very well start and get full time professional minutes.
Transaction: LA Galaxy sign defender Hugo Arellano from LA Galaxy II as Homegrown Player.
Name: Hugo Arellano
Pronunciation: HEW-go Are-eh-YAN-oh
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 162 lbs.
Born: March 5, 1998
Age: 18
Hometown: Norwalk, California
Last Club: LA Galaxy II
Citizenship: USA
