It’s finally official.
Lompoc native Julian Araujo has signed his first professional soccer contract with the LA Galaxy, the club announced Friday morning.
The Galaxy selected Araujo off waivers after trading $50,000 in Targeted Allocation Money to Colorado Rapids for the top waiver spot.
Congrats, @julian__araujo! All the best with the first team: https://t.co/jj86SiuOsM pic.twitter.com/etfL24HfUU
— LA Galaxy Academy (@LAGalaxyAcademy) March 1, 2019
Dennis te Kloese, LA Galaxy general manager, said this about Araujo in a club statement:
“Julian is one of the best young defenders in Southern California and we’re thrilled that he’s chosen to begin his professional career with the LA Galaxy. When we have Academy players like Julian that are good enough for the first team, we will sign them to the first team. Our club’s structure and mentality will allow a young player like Julian to develop into a top first-team talent.”
“We would also like to thank Santa Barbara Soccer Club and Barca Residency Academy for their role in his development as a person and a player,” te Kloese added.
The 17-year-old defenseman spent two years at Lompoc High School playing soccer and football and then was recruited to join FC Barcelona’s developmental academy in Arizona. Araujo also spent time with the U.S. Soccer Youth National Team and was a member of the 2018 U-20 team that captured its second straight Concacaf U-20 title.
⬆️ @LAGalaxyAcademy → @LAGalaxy
Welcome to the first team, @julian__araujo!
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 1, 2019
Araujo and the LA Galaxy get their season started on Saturday, March 2 with a home match against the Chicago Fire at 5:00 P.M.
