LA Galaxy Academy Midfielder Brett Phan Signs with Ventura County FC
LOS ANGELES (August 26, 2026) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed LA Galaxy Academy defender Matthew Leone as a Homegrown player. Additionally, LA Galaxy Academy midfielder Brett Phan has signed a professional contract with MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Ventura County FC (VCFC) through June 30, 2027. VCFC has also signed defender Jeremi Djieze, forward Luis Müller, and the Galaxy’s 2026 MLS SuperDraft pick, defender Palmer Bank.
“Matthew’s signing is another proud moment for our Academy and a reflection of the excellent work being done throughout our professional development pathway,” said Will Kuntz, General Manager, LA Galaxy. “He has shown tremendous potential throughout his time in our Academy, and as part of the U.S. Youth National Team system, and we are incredibly excited to see him take this next step in his development and begin his professional career with the LA Galaxy.”
Leone, 15, will be signed to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through June 30, 2028 and then will join the first team on an MLS contract as a Homegrown player beginning July 1, 2028 through 2031 with a club option for 2032. The Long Beach, California native was named to the 2026 Generation adidas Cup Rising XI after featuring at center back for the Galaxy Academy U-16's throughout the tournament. At the international level, Leone has earned multiple call-ups to the U.S. U-15 Boys’ National Team, representing the United States during international training camps in Cyprus and Croatia, as well as a domestic camp featuring two matches against Mexico. Leone was also selected to U.S. Soccer’s U-14 Boys’ National Talent Identification Camp in May 2025.
Phan, 18, joined the LA Galaxy Academy at the age of 9 in 2018 and has since risen through the club’s professional development pathway, becoming a two-time MLS NEXT Cup champion. He has appeared in 11 matches for Ventura County FC this season and recorded his first professional assist against Portland Timbers 2 on May 10. Notably, Phan received a call-up to the U.S. U-16 Youth Men’s National Team camp in 2023.
