LOS ANGELES – The LA Galaxy announced on Thursday the club had signed midfielder Jaime Villarreal as an MLS Homegrown Player. Villarreal, 21, joins after standout stints with the Galaxy Academy and LA Galaxy II, for whom he recorded 61 appearances over the past three seasons.

Villarreal joined the Galaxy Academy in August 2011 at the age of 16, and has spent more than five years in the Galaxy organization before inking an MLS contract. The LA Galaxy have 20 total players across the LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy II that have come through the club’s developmental system.

“Jaime is a player that has grown up in our system while excelling with LA Galaxy II,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Pete Vagenas. “We are confident that success can continue with the first team and we are excited to add him to our roster.”

Villarreal, from Inglewood, Calif., becomes the seventh LA Galaxy Homegrown Player on the LA Galaxy, joining Gyasi Zardes, Jose Villarreal, Raul Mendiola, Bradford Jamieson IV, Jack McBean and Hugo Arellano.