
LAFC Signs 20-Year-Old Midfielder Jose Cifuentes
January 13, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Los Angeles FC News Release
The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) announced today the signing of midfielder José Cifuentes from América de Quito using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). The 20-year-old Ecuadorian youth international will occupy an international spot on the Club's roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.
LAFC initially traded $100,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) to Orlando City SC in exchange for Cifuentes' rights.
"José was one of our top offseason priorities after very strong showings for his club and on the international stage," said LAFC EVP & General Manager John Thorrington. "We're confident that he will fit in seamlessly into our system, and we are very pleased that he's chosen to continue his professional career with LAFC."
Cifuentes, 20, becomes the seventh South American player under the age of 22 to sign with the Black & Gold. He arrives in MLS after spending the last two campaigns with Ecuadorian Serie A side, CD América. In 2019, Cifuentes appeared in 17 league contests and two cup matches.
The 5-foot-9 defensive midfielder began his career in 2016 with CD Universidad Católica, making his first team debut on July 17 during a 2-2 draw against Fuerza Amarilla. Cifuentes would play in six matches with Universidad Católica before his transfer to CD América.
In 19 appearances for Ecuador's U-20 side, Cifuentes played 1,701 out of a possible 1,740 minutes. Alongside LAFC teammate Diego Palacios, Cifuentes won the 2019 South American U-20 Championship and placed third at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup last summer.
Cifuentes made his senior debut during a 1-0 victory over Peru on September 6, 2019, playing the last nine minutes of the international friendly. He would earn his first start a month later, playing all 90 minutes of a 6-1 defeat against Argentina on October 13.
TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) signs 20-year-old midfielder José Cifuentes from América de Quito using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). The Club initially traded $100,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) to Orlando City SC in exchange for Cifuentes' rights.
VITALS:
Full Name: José Cifuentes
Position: Midfielder
Born: 03/12/1999
Height: 5-8
Weight: 155 lbs.
Birthplace: Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Last Club: América de Quito
Citizenship: Ecuador
Instagram: @josec_51
Major League Soccer Stories from January 13, 2020
- LAFC Begins Training Camp Ahead of Third Season - Los Angeles FC
- Earthquakes Weekly Update: January 13, 2020 - San Jose Earthquakes
- Houston Dynamo Select GK Duncan Turnbull and FW Kyle Edwards in MLS SuperDraft - Houston Dynamo FC
- Timbers Select Two Players in Final Two Rounds of 2020 MLS SuperDraft - Portland Timbers
- Sounders FC Selects Seattle University Midfielder Julian Avila-Good in Third Round of 2020 MLS SuperDraft - Seattle Sounders FC
- FC Cincinnati Select Midfielder Joris AHLinvi in Third Round of 2020 MLS SuperDraft - FC Cincinnati
- Nashville SC Selects Two Players in Final Rounds of 2020 MLS SuperDraft - Nashville SC
- Columbus Crew SC Selects Ryo Shimazaki in Round 3 of 2020 MLS SuperDraft - Columbus Crew SC
- 26 Players Selected in Final Rounds of 2020 MLS SuperDraft Presented by adidas - MLS
- New York Red Bulls Select Three in 2020 MLS SuperDraft Day Two - New York Red Bulls
- Whitecaps FC Single Match Tickets on Sale Friday - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- FC Dallas Selects Three More Players in Final Rounds of 2020 MLS SuperDraft - FC Dallas
- Orlando City SC Selects Defender Nick O'Callaghan in Third Round of 2020 MLS SuperDraft - Orlando City SC
- D.C. United Select Goalkeeper Andrew Verdi with 65th Overall Pick in MLS SuperDraft - D.C. United
- FC Dallas Selects Three More Players in Final Rounds of 2020 MLS SuperDraft - FC Dallas
- Inter Miami CF Announces Diego Alonso's Full Technical Staff - Inter Miami CF
- MNUFC Selects Bentley and Booth in the Fourth Round of the MLS SuperDraft - Minnesota United FC
- Atlanta United Selects Philip Goodrum with No. 75 Pick in 2020 MLS SuperDraft - Atlanta United FC
- FC Cincinnati Transfer Leonardo Bertone to Swiss Super League Side FC Thun - FC Cincinnati
- LAFC Signs 20-Year-Old Midfielder Jose Cifuentes - Los Angeles FC
- Orlando City Acquires $100,000 in General Allocation Money - Orlando City SC
- Real Salt Lake Forward Julian Vazquez Named to Mexico U-20 Roster - Real Salt Lake
- LA Galaxy Foundation Conclude 2019 with Nearly $1M Raised to Benefit Los Angeles - LA Galaxy
- Orlando City SC Signs Brazilian Midfielder Junior Urso - Orlando City SC
- Houston Dynamo sign goalkeeper Marko Maric on full transfer from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim - Houston Dynamo FC
- FC Dallas Signs Eddie Munjoma to a Homegrown Contract - FC Dallas
- Joe Fletcher Named PRO Manager of Senior Assistant Referees - MLS
- SheBelieves Cup Returns to Red Bull Arena - New York Red Bulls
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Los Angeles FC Stories
- LAFC Extends Unbeaten Streak with 3-3 Draw vs. LA Galaxy at Bmo Stadium
- LAFC Set for Rivalry Clash with LA Galaxy Presented by Strauss at BMO Stadium on Saturday Night
- LAFC, LA Galaxy, San Jose, and Sac Republic Unified Teams to Compete in First MLS Special Olympics Unified Tournament in Socal
- LAFC Wins Third Straight with 1-0 Victory in Minnesota
- Lafc Looks for Third Straight Win against Minnesota United on Wednesday

