LOS ANGELES – The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has acquired U.S. U-20 Men’s Youth National Team defender Mauricio Cuevas from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge KV. Cuevas will be signed to a three-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS season with two club option years through 2027, and he will be added to the Galaxy roster pending receipt of his ITC. The deal was completed prior to the close of the Primary Transfer Window on April 24.
“We are pleased to welcome Mauricio back to the LA Galaxy family,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney. “We have always appreciated Mauricio’s talent and his passion for the club. He’s a versatile fullback that will contribute to the team while continuing to develop as a player.”
Cuevas, 20, tallied two assists in 23 appearances (12 starts) across all competitions for Club NXT (2022-23), the youth academy of Club Brugge. During the 2023 Challenger Pro League Promotion Playoffs, Cuevas recorded two assists in eight appearances (3 starts), including recording two assists in Club NXT’s 2-1 win over Lierse Kempenzonen on April 1.
The Los Angeles, Calif., native played two seasons for LA Galaxy II (2019-20) in the USL Championship, recording four goals and five assists in 21 matches played (21 starts) across all competitions. During the 2020 USL Championship Regular Season, Cuevas recorded four goals and three assists in 16 appearances (16 starts). In his first season as a professional with Los Dos during the 2019 USL Championship Regular Season, Cuevas recorded one assist in four matches played (4 starts).
The LA Galaxy Academy product signed his first professional contract with LA Galaxy II as a 16-year-old on April 30, 2019. Cuevas joined the LA Galaxy Academy in 2016 and tallied three goals in 60 appearances (49 starts) in U.S. Soccer Development Academy play.
At the youth international level, Cuevas has made multiple appearances for the United States at the U-16, U-17 and U-20 age groups. Notably, Cuevas captained and tallied one goal and one assist in seven appearances (6 starts) for the U.S. U-20 Men’s Youth National Team that qualified for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup after winning the Concacaf U-20 Championship in Honduras last year.
Transaction: LA Galaxy acquire Mauricio Cuevas from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge KV and sign the defender to a three-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS season with two club option years through 2027 on April 26, 2023.
Mauricio Cuevas
Position: Defender
Height: 5-7
Weight: 135
Date of Birth: Feb. 10, 2003
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, Calif.
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Acquired from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge KV and signed to a three-year contract through the end of the 2025 MLS season with two club option years through 2027 on April 26, 2023.
