Los Angeles FC have used No. 1 in the MLS Waiver Order to sign teenage defender Julian Gaines from the USL side Las Vegas Lights, the club announced on Thursday.
Black and gold traded $ 50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) and number 21 in the MLS Waiver Order from Toronto FC to acquire number 1, allowing them to sign Gaines.
The 18-year-old, who can play both right-back and right-back, is a product of the Barca Residency Academy in Arizona and joined them in 2019. Gaines is also limited to under 15 and under 17 levels for the United States and made 12 appearances in the USL for the Las Vegas Lights this season and did once. His Las Vegas contract ended before he signed an MLS contract.
“Julian is a talented and exciting young player who has played well with Las Vegas,” LAFC Co-Chairman and General Manager John Thorrington said in a club statement. “We look forward to continuing to work with him at LAFC as he continues to develop as a person and player.”
Gaines is LAFC’s fourth signing of the summer along with striker Cristian Arango, midfielder Sebastien Ibeagha and defensive midfielder Daniel Crisostomo, the latter also coming from the Las Vegas Lights.
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Following this move, LAFC will now return to the bottom of the MLS Waiver Order list.
Although they ended up among the MLS Cup and Supporters Shield favorites, LAFC is holding a tough campaign in 2021.
The Black and Gold are currently in six games without a win, losing four and playing twice, which has seen them drop to eighth in the Western Conference, during the playoffs.
Bob Bradley’s men travel to the Vancouver Whitecaps this weekend before an MLS Rivalry Week clash with the LA Galaxy the following Sunday.
