LA Galaxy II have signed LA Galaxy Academy and U.S. Youth National Team midfielder Adam Saldaña, the club announced today pending league and federation approval. Saldana, 17, signs his first professional contract with the club.
“We are excited for Adam to begin his professional career with the LA Galaxy organization,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. “He is a talented midfielder with great potential. Our club’s structure and vision allows young players like Adam to develop into top-rated talent. We are enthusiastic about his future within our club."
Since joining the Academy in 2018, Saldaña has made 12 appearances. The Panorama City, Calif., native started in all 12 of those matches, tallying two goals in U.S. Soccer Development Academy play. He helped led the team to the 2018-19 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs. Saldaña also took part in the 2019 Generation adidas Cup with the LA Galaxy Academy U-17 squad, where the team reached the quarterfinals.
With the addition of Saldaña, the LA Galaxy organization now have 15 players professionally rostered that were developed by either the LA Galaxy Academy or LA Galaxy II: Adam Saldaña, Mauricio Cuevas, Brian Iloski, Diedie Traore, Julian Araujo, Abraham Romero, Eric Lopez, Adrian Vera, Ethan Zubak, Efrain Alvarez, Hugo Arellano, Bradford Jamieson IV, Dave Romney, Daniel Steres and Justin Vom Steeg.
PHOTOS: Adam Saldaña signs with LA Galaxy II
Saldaña has garnered plenty of international attention in his time with the LA Galaxy Academy, featuring regularly for the U-17 squad. Most recently, Saldaña was named to head coach Raphael Wicky’s 20-player roster for the U-17 Concacaf Championships, where he made six appearances and five starts during the tournament, as well as providing one goal and one assist. Saldaña has made 23 caps for the U-17 team, scoring two goals and one assist.
LA Galaxy II will return to Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, June 22 to host USL Championship expansion side New Mexico United at 7 p.m. PT. Tickets to the match are on sale now.
Transaction: LA Galaxy II sign midfielder Adam Saldaña
Name: Adam Saldaña
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 145 lbs.
Born: February 7, 2002
Age: 17
Last Club: LA Galaxy Academy
Birthplace: Panorama City, Calif.
Hometown: Panorama City, Calif.
Nationality: USA
