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LA Galaxy Sign Portuguese Midfielder Jo=E3o Pedro

January 20, 2017 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017) - The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed Portuguese Midfielder Jo=E3o Pedro Almeida Machado, known as Jo=E3o Pedro, from Vitória Guimar=E3es of Portugal's first division. Pedro, 23, was added as a Special Discovery Player through Target Allocation Money (TAM). He will occupy an International roster spot and officially join the Galaxy's roster pending the receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.

"Jo=E3o is an extremely talented midfielder who has experience playing at a high level in Portugal," said LA Galaxy General Manager Peter Vagenas. "He is only 23 years old and has the best years of his career front of him. We identified him as a top target this offseason and we think he can immediately help strengthen our midfield. We look forward to welcoming Jo=E3o to Los Angeles as we continue to prepare for the upcoming season."

Pedro, a product of Vermil, Portugal, has been a part of Portuguese side Vitória Guimar=E3es since 2005, when he joined the club's youth academy. Since then, he has risen up the ranks to earn a starting position in central midfield on the first team in the Primeira Liga, Portugal's top division. The Portuguese midfielder has helped his side to fifth place in the Liga Primeira standings this season, starting in each of his team's 17 matches this year while scoring a goal.

Prior to his time in the Primeira Liga, Pedro excelled as a member of Vitória Guimar=E3es II, the club's second team in LigaPro, Portugal's second division, when he signed his first professional contract as a 19-year-old before going on to make over 100 appearances.

Pedro and the Galaxy will kick off the 2017 Major League Soccer Regular Season on Saturday, March 4 at StubHub Center when they host 2016 MLS Supporters' Shield winners FC Dallas at 1 p.m. PT live on Univision.

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