LAFC announced today that the Club has transferred forward Cristian “Chicho” Arango to C.F. Pachuca of Mexico’s Liga MX.
“We knew coming out of a successful 2022, we would need to make a major move, and likely a difficult decision ahead of roster compliance,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “We evaluated all possibilities and this transfer provides the needed resources and flexibility to continue our ambition of winning trophies. Whenever possible, we work with the player, as we did in this case upon receiving Chicho’s request. Chicho will forever remain an important part of LAFC, and we wish him and his family all the best in the next stage of his career at Pachuca.”
Arango, 27, joined the Black & Gold on Aug. 2, 2021, from Colombia’s Millonarios F.C. and made an immediate impact for the Club, earning the 2021 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award after registering 14 goals and two assists in his first 17 games. Famously known as “Chicho”, Arango leaves LAFC as the third leading scorer in Club history (30 goals in 51 MLS regular season matches), trailing only Carlos Vela (79 goals in 139 appearances) and Diego Rossi (59 goals in 121 appearances).
“I am very grateful to everyone at LAFC,” Arango said. “Thank you to all the fans and to the 3252 for all of the beautiful moments we were able to share, and for us to become champions together.”
The Colombian international was named a finalist for the 2022 MLS MVP award after a sparkling season that saw him help LAFC to the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup trophy as he cemented his legacy in L.A. by scoring the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute of the Western Conference Semifinal to defeat the Galaxy 3-2.
Arango’s 30 goals in 51 career regular season matches from his debut on Aug. 8, 2021 through Oct. 9, 2022 ranks as the second-most goals scored in MLS over that time span behind only Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar (32 goals in 47 games).
His breakout performance at LAFC helped him earn his first international call-up for Colombia in 2021, and he made his National Team debut in a 0-0 draw vs. Paraguay in World Cup Qualifying on Nov. 16, 2021. He earned his second international cap January 28 vs. the United States.
TRANSACTION: LAFC transfers forward Cristian Arango to Liga MX team C.F. Pachuca
