The close of the secondary transfer window Thursday was a busy one for the Galaxy.
The biggest move, financially, was a trade with Nashville SC for Jonathan Perez, which netted the Galaxy $1.5 million, with an additional $300,000 arriving if Perez reaches “certain performance-based incentives.”
Perez, a Galaxy Academy product who signed a Homegrown contract in 2020, was sent to Nashville last summer, initially for an 18-month period. He has made nearly 30 appearances with Nashville, but if the club was to make the move permanent, it was going to cost a big number.
The Galaxy also retain a sell-on percentage of any future transfer fee if Perez is sold from Nashville. Perez is the second Academy product this season that has moved, with the Galaxy retaining a sell-on percentage. The other is Aaron Bibout, who moved to Västerås SK in Sweden and recently made a bigger move to Genk in Belgium.
“We are excited for Jonny as he furthers his career in MLS,” Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz said. “The goal of the L.A. Galaxy player development pathway is to develop first-team professional players. While we always want our academy players to be Galaxy players for life, we are thrilled that Jonny has found an opportunity to continue his professional development and play first-team soccer in MLS.”
Perez, who joined the Galaxy academy at the U-13 level, made his first-team debut in 2021 at 18 years old.
Now 22, Perez signs a new contract with Nashville through 2028 with an option for 2029. He will occupy a U-22 Initiative slot.
McCarthy traded to New York
Things changed quickly for McCarthy this season. Last year, he stepped in goal and helped lead the Galaxy to the MLS Cup.
This year, it was apparent early that the club was looking for Novak Mićović to seize the starting goalkeeper position, which he eventually did.
On Friday, the Galaxy sent McCarthy to the New York Red Bulls for a 2026 MLS SuperDraft third-round pick and up to $150,000 in general allocation money.
“John McCarthy is the embodiment of what it means to be a champion both on and off the field,” Kuntz. “Since joining the Galaxy family last winter, John has been a leader in the locker room and the community and was a key role in the Galaxy’s capture of its record sixth MLS Cup. John has left an indelible legacy and will forever be a part of the Galaxy family.”
McCarthy played two seasons with LAFC, stepping up to help the Black & Gold win the MLS Cup in 2022 and earning MVP honors, before joining the Galaxy ahead of the 2024 season. He made 11 appearances this season.
Back to MLS play
After Wednesday’s Leagues Cup quarterfinal win, the Galaxy (3-16-7, 16 points) return to MLS play Saturday against the Colorado Rapids (10-11-6, 36 points).
The Leagues Cup semifinal is set for Wednesday against the Seattle Sounders at 7:45 p.m. at Dignity Health Sports Park. Inter Miami hosts Orlando City at 5:30 p.m. in the other semifinal.
The Galaxy’s Aug. 30 home game against FC Dallas has been moved to Oct. 11. The Galaxy will play in the Leagues Cup third-place game or final Aug. 31.
COLORADO RAPIDS at GALAXY
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
How to watch: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass)