U.S. Youth International Joshua Perez Joins LAFC

Before the closing of the MLS transfer window, the Los Angeles Football Club announced the signing of 20-year-old United States youth international and Southern California native Joshua Perez from Fiorentina. He will be added to LAFC’s supplemental roster, which means he will not count against the salary cap.

Perez is predominately left-footed and typically features as either a left or right winger, but occasionally played as a central midfielder for former club Livorno. The once highly rated youth prospect will face an uphill battle in his quest to see regular playing time at LAFC, competing against the likes of Latif Blessing and Diego Rossi.

Perez began his youth career with defunct MLS side Chivas USA, before joining Fiorentina’s youth system in 2016. Despite excelling with the U-19 Primavera side, he struggled to break into the first team.

He spent last season on loan with Serie C side Livorno, but failed to score and contributed 3 assists in just 574 minutes. He has played for the United States U-17, U-19, and U-20 teams. Perez was a part of the 2015 USMNT U-17 World Cup side that finished last in a group consisting of Nigeria, Croatia, and Chile.

He is eligible to play for both the United States and El Salvador. Soccer talent runs in the Perez family as his father, Giovanni, played professionally in El Salvador and his uncle is former USMNT midfielder and U.S. U-15 coach Hugo Perez.