(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: The Black & Gold make more MLS and Club news with the recent signing of Homegrown athlete/player, Diego Rosales. The 17 year-old South Gate native, will become a big and growing part of the Club’s youth development phase while he continues to be mentored for additional playing opportunities with the Club’s “A” Team.

Here is the LAFC Communication Staff’s press announcement that describes some of the finer details surrounding this news-making event.

LAFC SIGNS SOUTH GATE NATIVE AND FORMER ACADEMY PLAYER DIEGO ROSALES TO HOMEGROWN CONTRACT 

17-Year-Old Rosales Joined LAFC Academy U-12 Team In 2016 

Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) announced on 6/21, that the Club has signed defender Diego Rosales to a Homegrown contract through 2023 with Club options through 2026.  

Rosales, 17, is a native of South Gate, CA and was a member of LAFC’s inaugural U-12 academy team during the 2016-17 season. In 2021, Rosales joined LAFC’s affiliate USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights FC under an academy contract and made four appearances under then Lights coach Steve Cherundolo.  

This season, Rosales has made 10 appearances (10 starts) for LAFC2 in MLS Next Pro, playing a total of 990 minutes. Rosales previously joined the LAFC first team this season on short-term agreements, making his senior debut in an official competition during the penalty shoot-out win vs. Monterey Bay in the fourth round of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup on May 10. Overall, Rosales registered two first team appearances in the U.S. Open Cup and has also been available for selection for two MLS regular season matches on May 18 and May 21.  

Rosales made his unofficial first-team debut at 14 in an international friendly vs. Club Peñarol on Jan 25, 2020. Internationally, Rosales has represented the U.S. Youth National Team at the U-15 level.