LAFC announced today that the Club has re-signed forward Carlos Vela as a Designated Player through the 2023 season.
The 2019 MLS MVP and current league record holder for most goals scored in a season, Vela leads LAFC this season with six goals and three assists in 15 games.
“Carlos has been an integral piece of LAFC’s success on and off the field since the beginning,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “Carlos has proved that he is one of the top players this league has ever seen, and we are thrilled to have him continue to lead our Club as we attempt to win more trophies this season and beyond.”
Vela, 33, joined LAFC as the first player in Club history when he signed as a Designated Player in August, 2017 ahead of LAFC’s inaugural 2018 season, and he earned MLS Best XI honors in 2018 and 2019.
The Mexican international has reserved his place in LAFC and MLS history with record-setting performances throughout his career. A three-time MLS All-Star, Vela led LAFC to the 2019 Supporter’s Shield and an appearance in the 2020 Concacaf Champions League Final, as he scored five goals in six games in the tournament. Vela won the 2019 MLS Golden Boot with a record-breaking 34 goals in 31 games.
“Los Angeles is a special place for me and my family. This is our home, and I am excited to continue my career here at LAFC,” Vela said. “My goal is to win the MLS Cup with LAFC, and I will work hard to achieve our goal, and I expect to continue to achieve great things for the Club, my family, our fans and the City of Los Angeles.”
In his fifth season with LAFC, Vela has made 101 MLS regular season appearances (89 starts), registering 102 combined regular season goals and assists (63 goals; 39 assists) in 7,954 minutes played. This season he became the third fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 goals and assists when he did it in 98 games.
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“We are ecstatic to continue working with Carlos at LAFC,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “He is a fantastic player and leader, and frankly, he has been and always will be an important member of the LAFC family.”
Overall, Carlos has made a total of 118 appearances for LAFC in all competitions, scoring 73 goals and registering 44 assists.
The Cancun, Mexico native was a key contributor to the Mexican National Team, playing in the 2010 and 2018 World Cup and appearing in 72 total games, scoring 19 goals.
MLS CAREER MILESTONES
- MLS Supporters’ Shield Winner: 2019
- Landon Donovan MLS MVP: 2019
- MLS Golden Boot: 2019
- MLS Records: Most Goals By One Player In A Season (2019, 34); Most Goals / Assists By One Player In A Season (2019, 34 / 15); Most Goals By A Duo In A Season (2019, Carlos Vela / Diego Rossi, 50); Fastest Player To Score 20 Goals (2019, 21 Games); Most Goals Scored By Mexican Player (MLS Career) (2019, 48)
- MLS Best XI: 2018, 2019
- MLS All-Star: 2018, 2019, 2021
- Became third LAFC player to reach 100 regular season appearances
- Became third-fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 combined goals and assists in just 98 games played.
TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) re-signs forward Carlos Vela as a Designated Player through the 2023 season.
