LAFC today announced that the Club has loaned forward Brian Rodríguez to UD Almería of LaLiga 2. The deal, which begins immediately and runs through the conclusion of Almería’s 2020-21 campaign in May, could become a permanent transfer if certain performance thresholds are met.
“Brian is joining Almería as they make a strong push for promotion to Spain’s top division,” said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington. “Since his arrival in 2019, Brian has been a focal point of our attack and a huge reason for our success. This move gives him a great opportunity to play important games at the highest levels of European football.”
Signed on August 7, 2019 as a Young Designated Player, Rodríguez would appear in 26 regular season matches (23 starts), three postseason games and four matches at the 2020 Concacaf Champions League.
During the 2020 MLS season, the 20-year-old forward led the team with seven assists, while also adding two goals from 49 shots. He would be named to the MLS 22 Under 22 in both years with the Black & Gold, coming in at No. 2 in 2020 and No. 4 in 2019.
Before LAFC, Rodríguez spent two and a half seasons with Uruguayan side CA Peñarol, notching three goals and nine assists in 26 games across all competitions. Internationally, Rodríguez has been a mainstay for Uruguay’s senior side since his debut on September 7, 2019. He has three goals in nine international matches, and has appeared in three of Uruguay’s four 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
With 16 games remaining, Almería currently sits in third place in LaLiga 2 standings with a 14-3-5 record (45 points). At the conclusion of the season, the top two teams will earn automatic promotion to Spain’s top division, while a third team earns promotion from a playoff bracket between the teams that finish from 3rd to 6th.
TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) loans forward Brian Rodríguez to LaLiga 2 side UD Almería for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign. The deal will become a permanent transfer if certain conditions are met.
