The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) announced today the acquisition of forward Christian Ramirez from Minnesota United FC in exchange for $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2018 and 2019, $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) in 2018, $200,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) in 2019, and up to $200,000 in future Allocation Money based on the player’s performance with the Club.
To be able to add a proven MLS goal scorer in Christian is a win for us,” said EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager, John Thorrington. “He is a player we have monitored for a while and are incredibly excited to welcome him home to Los Angeles.”
The Garden Grove native, returns home to Southern California after spending the last five seasons with Minnesota United FC in the North America Soccer League (NASL) and Major League Soccer (MLS).
This season, the 27-year-old forward has seen action in 20 regular season matches, tallying seven goals and two assists, including a brace against LAFC on July 22. In Minnesota’s inaugural campaign in MLS in 2017, Ramirez led the team in goals with 14, including the club’s first-ever goal on March 3. In his two MLS seasons, Ramirez has appeared in 50 matches (44 starts), amassing 21 goals and five assists in 3,776 minutes.
“Christian has shown a consistent ability to score goals,” said LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley. “We’re excited to have him join the Club.”
Prior to Minnesota joining MLS, Ramirez earned NASL Best XI honors in three straight campaigns (2014-16) and two NASL Golden Boot Awards (2014-16) with the Loons. Ramirez also became the first player in Loons history to reach 50 goals, and his 74 goals are the most in club history.
Earlier this year, Ramirez earned his first international call-up with the U.S. Men’s National Team, after being selected to the USMNT’s annual camp in California on January 8, 2018.
General Allocation Money (GAM) is money that is available to a club in addition to its salary budget. Each MLS club receives an annual allotment of GAM. Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) are funds strategically provided by the league to teams to add or retain players that will make an immediate impact on the field.
After 22 matches, LAFC currently sits in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 10-6-6 (36 points) record. The Club returns to action on Wednesday, August 8 for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals against the Houston Dynamo. Kickoff in Houston is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT at BBVA Compass Stadium.
TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) acquires forward Christian Ramirez from Minnesota United FC in exchange for $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2018 and 2019, $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) in 2018, $200,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) in 2019, and up to $200,000 in future Allocation Money based on the player’s performance with the Club.
