Bob Bradley has his first man in black.
Los Angeles FC will scoop up Carlos Vela in the January transfer window, adding Real Sociedad’s Mexican international ahead of its Major League Soccer.
LAFC announced the hiring of Bradley last week, and fiery competitor Vela does seem to be his sort of player.
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Vela will remain a part of Sociedad’s set up until January. The right wing has 72 goals and 44 assists in 233 appearances for one of La Liga’s mainstays.
The 28-year-old carries 58 caps and 17 goals for Mexico. He left Guadalajara for Arsenal’s academy in 2005, when he was 16. Vela broke into Arsenal’s First Team from 2008-11, where he scored 11 times in 62 matches. Three of those came in the Premier League, and he added two more on loan to West Brom in 2011.
Vela has two goals for Mexico this year, including El Tri’s equalizer against the United States during the World Cup qualifier draw at Azteca earlier this summer.
It’s a significant claim for LAFC as it looks to build popularity in California, and puts three El Tri senior teamers in what should quickly become a decent MLS rivalry.