LA Galaxy have acquired forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano on loan from San Diego FC for the remainder of the Major League Soccer season, with an option to make the deal permanent.

The Mexican international arrives as a designated player, stepping into the offensive leadership role within a Galaxy squad coached by Greg Vanney that is desperately seeking a turnaround.

Lozano will join Joseph Paintsil and João Klauss as the club’s designated players, with Riqui Puig already absent on the Season-Ending Injury list after missing all of 2025.

The transfer brings an end to a long and uncomfortable standoff between the 31-year-old and San Diego FC, who signed him as their first designated player from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2024.

Lozano enjoyed a productive debut MLS campaign, registering 11 goals and nine assists across 34 appearances during San Diego’s inaugural season in 2025, endearing himself to the club’s growing fanbase.

However, his relationship with the club deteriorated sharply following an altercation in the locker room, and sporting director Tyler Heaps ultimately decided last January that Lozano would not be permitted to return to the squad.

Tensions had reportedly been simmering since Lozano was substituted off during a match against the Houston Dynamo in October, with rumours of friction between him and head coach Mikey Varas, as well as certain teammates.

San Diego spent months attempting to find a new destination for Lozano, whose salary ranks among the highest in MLS, while the player himself publicly stated he had hoped for a reconciliation with the club.

His prolonged absence from competitive football ultimately cost him a place in Mexico’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, which would have been his third appearance at the tournament.

Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz confirmed the club had been pursuing Lozano for some time, saying: “Hirving is a player whom we tried to acquire three years ago, so this feels like something of a full-circle moment.”

“He is a fierce competitor with an excellent track record of performing on teams that have competed for titles in multiple leagues, including his debut season in MLS,” Kuntz added, underlining the club’s belief in his quality.

Kuntz also noted that after evaluating various options to strengthen the roster, the club concluded Lozano was the ideal fit to help them tackle the final 15 games of the season.

Lozano boasts a decorated European career, having won the Eredivisie title with PSV Eindhoven in the 2017-18 season before joining Napoli, where he played 155 matches and scored 30 goals.

His time in Italy included a historic Scudetto triumph in the 2022-23 season, ending more than three decades of waiting for the Neapolitan club before he returned to PSV and claimed two more Dutch league titles.

On the international stage, Lozano has accumulated over 70 caps, 18 goals, and 12 assists for Mexico, with his goal against Germany at the 2018 FIFA World Cup among the most celebrated moments of his career.

San Diego’s sporting director Heaps said in a statement: “We have been working with Hirving and his side to find the right opportunity for him to get him back on the field.”

“We appreciate his contributions during our record-setting inaugural season and wish him well as he continues his career,” Heaps added, drawing a line under the troubled episode.

Both clubs are struggling this season, with San Diego sitting 13th in the 15-team Western Conference and the Galaxy 12th, still without a win since returning from the FIFA World Cup break.

The Galaxy’s last competitive victory came on May 16 against the Seattle Sounders, making Lozano’s arrival a potentially pivotal moment in their bid to salvage a playoff place.

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