Portuguese midfielder João Pedro joins LA Galaxy

LA have added another quality addition to the midfield, as the Galaxy have announced the signing of 23-year-old João Pedro from Vitória Guimarães of the Portugal first division.

“João is an extremely talented midfielder who has experience playing at a high-level in Portugal,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Peter Vagenas. “He is only 23 years old and has the best years of his career front of him. We identified him as a top target this offseason and we think he can immediately help strengthen our midfield. We look forward to welcoming João to Los Angeles as we continue to prepare for the upcoming season.”

Pedro, a product of Vermil, Portugal, has been a part of Portuguese side Vitória Guimarães since 2005, when he joined the club’s youth academy. Since then, he has risen up the ranks to earn a starting position in central midfield on the first team in the Primeira Liga, Portugal’s top division. The Portuguese midfielder has helped his side to fifth place in the Liga Primeira standings this season, starting in each of his team’s 17 matches this year while scoring a goal.

Prior to his time in the Primeira Liga, Pedro excelled as a member of Vitória Guimarães II, the club’s second team in LigaPro, Portugal’s second division, when he signed his first professional contract as a 19-year-old before going on to make over 100 appearances.