CARSON, Calif. (Saturday, March 5, 2016) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed forward Ariel Lassiter to an MLS contract from LA Galaxy II in USL. Lassiter, 21, joins MLS after leading Los Dos in goals last year with 15 between the USL Regular Season and USL Playoffs.

“Ariel is a talented attacking player who has contributed at a high level with LA Galaxy II,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “We are excited for him to continue his development with the first team.”

Lassiter, 21, joined Galaxy II ahead of the 2015 season. In his first year in USL, Lassiter scored 11 times during the Regular Season, including three game-winning goals, and added an additional four goals in USL Playoff matches, helping Los Dos reach their first-ever USL Championship. Lassiter finished the USL season with 15 goals overall with one assist.

The 21-year-old forward attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2014, where he earned honors on the Big West Conference All Freshman Team, starting in 21 games while scoring five goals and adding four assists. His five goals were second most on the team during the 2014 season. In July 2014, Lassiter signed a professional contract with GAIS in Sweden’s second highest division, Superettan, where he scored one goal in 12 appearances for the club.

Lassiter grew up in Southern California and attended Great Oak High School in Temecula, Calif. In his four years there, he was named a Southwester League Offensive MVP honoree two times and the Inland Empire High School Player of the Year two times in addition to serving as his team’s captain during his junior and senior seasons.

Lassiter joins Dave Romney, Daniel Steres, and Clement Diop as players who have signed an MLS contract with LA Galaxy from Los Dos in USL.