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MLS Los Angeles FC

LAFC Adds Defender Diego Palacios

August 12, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Los Angeles FC News Release


The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) announced today that the Club has acquired defender Diego Palacios using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). The 20-year old arrives from SD Aucas of Primera CategorÃ-a Serie A in Ecuador after spending the 2018 season on loan to Willem II of the Eredivisie, the top league in Holland.

"Diego is an impressive young player who has drawn interest from some of the top clubs in the world," LAFC EVP & General Manager John Thorrington said. "We are excited that Diego has chosen to come to Los Angeles to develop and grow in the next stage of his career."

Last season, Palacios played on loan to Dutch club Willem II, where he started all 32 appearances across all competitions for the Eredivisie club, adding three assists and logging 2,785 minutes. Palacios started and played 90 minutes in a loss to Ajax in the KNVB Cup Final, the annual Dutch national football competition.

The dynamic defender worked his way through the youth ranks of top Ecuadorian Club SD Aucas, making his senior team debut in the 2017-18 season. In a successful first professional season, Palacios appeared in 23 matches across all competitions, scoring one goal and adding three assists, logging 2,001 total minutes played.

"Diego is a young, talented left back and we're really excited because we think he's another player that fits well with everything we try to do," said LAFC head coach Bob Bradley.

Palacios made his Senior National Team debut for Ecuador against Qatar on October 12, 2018 after shining in 20 appearances with the Ecuadorian U-20 National Team, including appearances for the 2019 U-20 South American Championship winning squad and most recently in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The transaction occurred prior to the close of Major League Soccer's Summer Transfer Window on Wednesday, August 7 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) has acquired 20-year-old defender Diego Palacios using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).

VITALS:

Full Name: Diego José Palacios Espinoza

Position: Defender

Born: 07/12/1999

Height: 5-7

Weight: 143 lbs.

Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Last Club: SD Aucas

Citizenship: Ecuador

Instagram: @chiqui_palacios

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