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MLS Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami CF Acquires 2020 MLS MVP Alejandro Pozuelo

July 7, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Inter Miami CF News Release


Inter Miami CF announced today that it has acquired 2020 Landon Donovan MVP Award winner and two-time MLS Best XI honoree Alejandro Pozuelo from Toronto FC. The Spanish attacking midfielder will occupy an International Roster Slot and a Designated Player spot for the club. In return, Inter Miami will send $75,000 in 2022 General Allocation Money (GAM) and $75,000 in 2023 GAM to Toronto FC.

Pozuelo will join the team pending receipt of his P-1 Visa.

"We're thrilled to be able to welcome a player of Alejandro's caliber. He has proven himself to be one of the brightest talents in the league and we are confident that will continue here in South Florida," said Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson. "We were looking to add a decisive, creative attacking player and we feel he fits the profile."

Pozuelo has starred in MLS for over three seasons, first joining Toronto in March 2019. The Spaniard has made 88 total regular season appearances for the team, including 81 starts, notching 26 goals and 31 assists in that time. He has also started in five playoff matches for the team, tallying two goals and three assists in the process.

"We believe Alejandro will fit right in with our group. He's a player of tremendous quality that we feel can be a real game changer for us," said head coach Phil Neville. "We can't wait to integrate him into the squad and are looking forward to seeing him on the pitch in Inter Miami colors."

In Pozuelo's first season with Toronto, the midfielder registered an impressive 12 goals and 12 assists in 30 regular season appearances, earning MLS Best XI honors. He also helped guide the team to the MLS Cup final, starting all four 2019 playoff games, totaling two goals and three assists in the process before finishing as league runners-up.

The midfielder followed up his outstanding introduction season to MLS with another stellar campaign. In 2020, Pozuelo started all 23 of Toronto's regular season matches in the shortened campaign, scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists. His output was not only good enough for a repeat appearance on the MLS Best XI list, but also earned him the 2020 Landon Donovan MVP Award.

Pozuelo then tallied a combined five goal contributions in 19 appearances in 2021. Thus far this season, he has registered an impressive four goals and five assists in just 15 matches, all starts.

Prior to joining MLS, Pozuelo featured for KRC Genk in the Belgian First Division A (2015-2019), Rayo Vallecano in Spain's LaLiga (2014-2015), Swansea City in the English Premier League (2013-2014), Real Betis in LaLiga (2011-2013) and Real Betis B in Spain's Segunda División B (2010-2012).

Pozuelo made 177 appearances for Genk, tallying 25 goals and 60 assists. In that time, he made 28 UEFA Europa League appearances, notching three goals and 14 assists.

In his lone season with Rayo Vallecano, Pozuelo made 13 appearances, scoring one goal. In his lone season with Swansea City, he made 36 total appearances, tallying two goals and six assists, including two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League qualifying.

The Sevilla, Andalusia native began his career with his hometown club Real Betis, where he rose through the youth ranks before breaking through at the professional level. He first featured for Real Betis B in Spain's Segunda División B, making 44 appearances and scoring 16 goals for the team. The midfielder then made his first team debut for the club in Oct. 2011, going on to make 33 appearances for Real Betis, scoring three goals and adding two assists.

As part of the trade, Toronto FC will retain a sell-on percentage in the event of a future permanent transfer outside MLS / trade within MLS of the midfielder. Inter Miami will also send additional conditional GAM if Pozuelo meets certain performance-based incentives.

Individual match tickets for each remaining regular season home match on the Inter Miami CF schedule are available visiting https://www.intermiamicf.com/tickets/single. Fans can also call 305-428-0611 to learn more.

Name: Alejandro Pozuelo

Pronunciation: po-zoo-eh-low

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 165 lbs

Born: 09/20/1991

Age: 30

Birthplace: Sevilla, Spain

Nationality: Spain

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