LA Galaxy sign Efrain Alvarez to contract extension

The LA Galaxy announced on Thursday they have signed midfielder Efrain Alvarez to a two-year contract extension through the 2023 season, with a club option for 2024. Alvarez will be classified in an MLS U22 Initiative roster spot under the program rolled out this year.

“Efrain is a top, young attacking talent and has an exciting future ahead of him in LA and for the Mexican National Team,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese in a team statement. “The Galaxy are committed to fostering talent from within the academy and Efrain’s contract extension further cements that responsibility. I would like to thank Efrain’s family and his agents at Wasserman Media Group on working through this negotiation. They have always held Efrain’s professional development and his pathway as the highest priority.”

Alvarez, 19, has made nine appearances this season so far for the Galaxy, scoring one goal, a last-gasp game-winner against the Vancouver Whitecaps last month. The homegrown signing has also been officially cap-tied to the Mexican national team this year, already featuring for El Tri at the ongoing Concacaf Gold Cup.

The midfielder is prodigiously talented and is seen as one of the jewels of the Galaxy’s academy system. But he’s also had to work on his fitness and professionalism in recent years, although it appears he has played his way into Greg Vanney’s rotation this season, which is a good sign. This signing also shores up the Galaxy’s leverage should a team abroad want to pay a transfer fee for Alvarez, which could be in the offing, so this seems like good business all around for everyone.

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