Los Angeles Football Club announced today that the Club signed forward Cristian Olivera from UD Almeria of Spain’s La Liga, signing the 21-year-old Uruguayan to a four-year contract through 2026 with a Club option through 2027. The deal was completed prior to the close of MLS’ Secondary Transfer Window.
Olivera will join LAFC as a part of Major League Soccer’s U22 Initiative and will occupy an international roster spot pending receipt of his international Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.
LAFC acquired Olivera’s Discovery Priority from Minnesota United in exchange for $175,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM).
“Cristian is a dynamic young player with fantastic attacking qualities that will fit well within our group and excite our supporters,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “We are looking forward to welcoming Cristian and his family to LAFC and know that he will help achieve our ongoing ambition of winning more trophies.”
A native of Montevideo, Uruguay, Olivera played the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Boston River of the top division in Uruguay on loan from Almeria. In that time, he made a total of 32 appearances (30 starts) for Boston River, scoring nine goals in 2,638 minutes. Olivera appeared in three matches for Boston River in the 2023 Copa Libertadores, registering an assist vs. Zamora FC on Feb. 10, 2023.
He signed with Almeria in Sept. 2020, and played in three games for the first team, while making 13 appearances for Almeria B in 2021. Olivera moved on loan to Peñarol of Uruguay in 2021, making 13 appearances (8 starts) while helping Peńarol to a first-place finish. Olivera appeared in two matches with Peñarol in 2022 before moving again on loan to Boston River.
The attacker started his career with Rentistas in Uruguay in 2020, scoring three goals in 11 games. Overall, Cristian made 36 appearances (25 starts) and registered six goals and two assists with Rentistas.
Olivera has played at the U-16, U-17, and U-20 youth levels for the Uruguayan National Team, registering four goals in 19 appearances across all competitions.
TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club acquires forward Cristian Olivera from UD Almeria of Spain’s La Liga through 2026 with options through 202. LAFC acquired Olivera’s Discovery Priority from Minnesota United in exchange for $175,000 in GAM in 2023.
