LOS ANGELES (Monday, April 1, 2024) – The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has acquired Carlos Emiro Garcés on loan from Liga BetPlay Dimayor I side Deportivo Pereira for the remainder of the 2024 MLS season with a purchase option. Garcés, 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.
Since making his debut as a 20-year-old back in 2021, Garcés, 22, went on to record one goal in 67 appearances (57 starts) across all competitions for Deportivo Pereira (2021-24), helping the club win its first-ever league title during the 2022 Liga BetPlay Dimayor campaign. During the current 2024 Liga BetPlay Dimayor Apertura season, Garcés has logged 790 minutes in 10 matches played (9 starts) for Deportivo.
“Emiro is a promising talent whom we are excited to have join the LA Galaxy,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz. “He brings great experience for his age having been a part of Pereira’s first ever Colombian league title-winning team as well as starting matches in the 2023 Copa Libertadores competition. We look forward to having Emiro’s experience and competitiveness bolster our defensive unit.”
At the beginning of the 2023 campaign, Garcés joined Primeira Liga side Portimonense S.C. on loan and went on to make three appearances for the U-23 side. Notably, the López de Micay, Colombia, native made four appearances (4 starts) on his return from loan for Deportivo in the 2023 Copa Libertadores Knockout Stage, helping Pereira reach the Quarterfinals of the competition.
“We are pleased to bring in a talented central defender who has played and started for his club in Colombia’s top flight at a very young age,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. “We look forward to integrating Emiro into our group once he arrives in LA.”
At the international level, Garcés was previously called up to by the Colombian National Team for a domestic training camp back in October of 2022.
Transaction: LA Galaxy acquire Carlos Emiro Garcés from Liga Dimayor I side Deportivo Pereira on loan for the remainder of the 2024 MLS season with a purchase option on April 2, 2024.
Carlos Emiro Garcés
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Date Of Birth: Oct. 11, 2001
Age: 22
Birthplace: López de Micay, Colombia
Last Club: Deportivo Pereira (Colombia)
Citizenship: Colombia
