After failing to live up to his potential in MLS, attacking midfielder Efraín Álvarez will try to get his career back on track in Mexico. LA Galaxy announced on Friday that they are sending Álvarez to Liga MX side Club Tijuana in a permanent transfer.
Galaxy didn’t disclose the financial terms of the agreement, but they are reportedly getting $2.2 million in transfer fee. Álvarez will ink a two-year deal with Tijuana.
Álvarez was previously set to become a free agent after the 2023 MLS season, although the LA team had an option to extend his deal for 2024. However, picking up the option would significantly bump up the 21-year-old’s salary, something that Galaxy obviously wasn’t comfortable with considering his limited impact this season. The Mexico international only made five starts and has one assist to his name.
Efraín Álvarez was in line to become the next big MLS star after making his first team debut for Galaxy in 2019. But despite promising performances, he never actually established himself as a key player for the team. Álvarez leaves Los Angeles with six goals and 15 assists in 94 matches played.
“We want to thank Efraín for his commitment to the LA Galaxy for the past seven plus years”, said LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney in a statement. “Efrain has left a special impact on the club progressing through the academy, Galaxy II, and the first team, and we wish him and his family all the best in this next step of his career.”
