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LA Galaxy Acquire Brazilian Youth International Forward Gabriel Pec as Young Designated Player from Vasco da Gama

January 30, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


LOS ANGELES - The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has acquired Gabriel Pec from Brazilian Série A side Vasco da Gama as a Young Designated Player and signed the forward to a five-year contract through the end of the 2028 MLS season. Pec, who will occupy an international roster slot, will be added to the Galaxy roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

Pec, 22, joins LA after notching 26 goals and 14 assists in 178 appearances across all competitions with Vasco da Gama (2019-23). During the 2023 Série A campaign, Pec tallied eight goals and four assists in 37 matches played (29 starts). Notably, Pec recorded 14 goals and five assists in 50 appearances (42 starts) across all competitions for Vasco in 2023.

"Gabriel has been a key contributor for one of the biggest clubs in Brazil's Série A and we are beyond excited that he is choosing to join the Galaxy as the next step in his burgeoning career," said LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz. "In addition to his work rate and attacking prowess, he will also be bringing the experience of representing his native Brazil in the qualification tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics when he joins our group. We are thrilled to announce Gabriel as the newest member of the LA Galaxy."

The Petrópolis, Brazil, native registered four goals and five assists in 47 matches played (36 starts) across all competitions for Vasco da Gama during the 2022 season, helping his side gain promotion to Série A after a fourth place finish in Série B. In 2021, Pec tallied seven goals and three assists in 52 matches played (36 starts) across all competitions for Vasco. Notably, the winger helped Vasco da Gama win the 2021 Campeonato Carioca Taça Rio title.

"We are excited to welcome Gabriel to the team. Gabriel is a powerful and direct winger who brings quality and a relentless work rate," said LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. "We look forward to integrating him into the group upon his arrival."

As an 19-year-old for Vasco da Gama during the 2020-21 Série A season, Pec recorded one goal in 16 appearances (4 starts). In his first professional season during the 2019 campaign, Pec recorded one assist in eight appearances off the bench for Vasco in Série A.

At the international level, Pec is part of Brazil's 23-player 2024 Pre-Olympic Tournament roster that is competing in Venezuela from Jan. 20 - Feb. 11 for a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Brazil, placed in Group A, will close out group play against Venezuela on Thursday, Feb. 1 (3:00 p.m. PT). Pec registered an assist in Brazil's 2-0 win over Colombia on Jan. 26. Additionally, Pec has appeared for Brazil at the U-20 level.

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