LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed Portuguese Midfielder João Pedro Almeida Machado, known as João Pedro, from Vitória Guimarães of Portugal’s first division. Pedro, 23, was added as a Special Discovery Player through Target Allocation Money (TAM). He will occupy an International roster spot and officially join the Galaxy’s roster pending the receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.

“João is an extremely talented midfielder who has experience playing at a high-level in Portugal,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Peter Vagenas. “He is only 23 years old and has the best years of his career front of him. We identified him as a top target this offseason and we think he can immediately help strengthen our midfield. We look forward to welcoming João to Los Angeles as we continue to prepare for the upcoming season.”

Pedro, a product of Vermil, Portugal, has been a part of Portuguese side Vitória Guimarães since 2005, when he joined the club’s youth academy. Since then, he has risen up the ranks to earn a starting position in central midfield on the first team in the Primeira Liga, Portugal’s top division. The Portuguese midfielder has helped his side to fifth place in the Liga Primeira standings this season, starting in each of his team’s 17 matches this year while scoring a goal.

Prior to his time in the Primeira Liga, Pedro excelled as a member of Vitória Guimarães II, the club’s second team in LigaPro, Portugal’s second division, when he signed his first professional contract as a 19-year-old before going on to make over 100 appearances.

Pedro and the Galaxy will kick off the 2017 Major League Soccer Regular Season on Saturday, March 4 at StubHub Center when they host 2016 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners FC Dallas at 1 p.m. PT live on Univision.

LA Galaxy Season Ticket Memberships for the 2017 MLS season are available for purchase now. Galaxy fans can go to www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/seasontickets or call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299) to secure their 2017 LA Galaxy Season Ticket package.