LA Galaxy II have signed LA Galaxy Academy and U.S. Youth National Team defender Mauricio Cuevas, the club announced today pending league and federation approval. Cuevas, 16, signs his first professional contract with the club.

“Mauricio is a talented young Academy defender and we are excited for him begin his professional career in our organization,”said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. “The LA Galaxy Academy is a very important piece of our club structure and we are committed to providing our young players with professional opportunities when they are ready. We are enthusiastic about Mauricio’s future within our club."

Since joining the Academy in 2016, Cuevas has made 60 appearances. The Los Angeles native started in 49 of those matches, tallying three goals in U.S. Soccer Development Academy play. Cuevas also took part in the recent Generation adidas Cup with the LA Galaxy Academy U-17 squad, helping the team reach the quarterfinals.

With the addition of Cuevas, the LA Galaxy organization now have 14 players professionally rostered that were developed by either the LA Galaxy Academy or LA Galaxy II: Mauricio Cuevas, Brian Iloski, Diedie Traore, Julian Araujo, Abraham Romero, Eric Lopez, Adrian Vera, Ethan Zubak, Efrain Alvarez, Hugo Arellano, Bradford Jamieson IV, Dave Romney, Daniel Steres and Justin Vom Steeg.

Cuevas has garnered plenty of international attention in his time with the LA Galaxy Academy, featuring regularly for the U-16 and U-17 squads. Most recently, Cuevas was named to head coach Raphael Wicky’s 20-player roster for the U-17 Concacaf Championships at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The tournament, set to run from May 1-16, will serve as the region’s qualifying tournament for the 2019 U-17 World Cup in Brazil later this year.

LA Galaxy II will return to Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday, May 4 to host USL Championship expansion side Austin Bold FC at 7 p.m. PT. Tickets to the match are on sale now.

Transaction: LA Galaxy II sign defender Mauricio Cuevas

Name: Mauricio Cuevas

Position: Defender

Height: 5’7”

Weight: 120 lbs.

Born: February 10, 2003

Age: 16

Last Club: LA Galaxy Academy

Birthplace: Los Angeles, Calif.

Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.

Nationality: USA