The familiar sight of a black-and-gold cap has revealed yet another star signing for Los Angeles FC, with Andre Horta officially joining the MLS expansion side from SL Benfica in a move that sees the attacking midfielder become the club's third Designated Player.
The deal is a multi-year contract worth more than $1 million per season in salary, sources told Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC, who adds that LAFC could be paying a $7-million fee to acquire the 21-year-old Portugal youth international.
I am Black & Gold. @LAFC @LAFC3252 #NewGoals #SameAmbition pic.twitter.com/fbQhvIBhYT
— André Horta (@AndreHorta8) March 27, 2018
Horta is currently on loan at SC Braga and might not arrive in Los Angeles for some time, as Braga must choose to release him from loan before he can join head coach Bob Bradley's team. If the club opts not to do so, LAFC must wait for the secondary transfer window to open on July 10.
LAFC didn't specify if Braga has agreed to release Horta, though club general manager John Thorrington was pleased with the signing all the same.
"Andre is a player we identified quite some time ago as someone we felt would be the right fit for LAFC," Thorrington said in a club-issued statement.
"We are grateful for the support of ownership, and the acquisition of Andre is yet another statement of the type of club and team we are building. It is rare, if not unprecedented, for a player of his age, pedigree, and options to join MLS, and we know he will make our city and fans proud."
Bradley echoed that sentiment, offering: "Andre is a technically gifted player with enormous versatility. He is young and dynamic, and with his experience in Portugal we believe he will continue to develop into a top-class player."
Horta joins Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela as LAFC's three Designated Players for its inaugural 2018 campaign. Standing at 5-foot-9, he brings with him one goal and six assists in 15 appearances this season for Braga, with a further 23 appearances for Portugal across multiple youth levels.
He's got a pair of international goals to his name, with the latest coming in a 4-2 win over Switzerland's Under-21 team just a few hours before this signing was announced.
