January 24, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Seattle Sounders FC News Release
RENTON, WASH.- Seattle Sounders FC today announced that it has signed Pedro de la Vega as a Young Designated Player. The 22-year-old attacker comes to Seattle from Club Atlético Lanús of the Argentine topflight, where he tallied 17 goals and 14 assists over five seasons. The first Young Designated Player signing in Sounders FC history, de la Vega was introduced officially this morning at a press conference at the Sounders FC Center at Longacres. He joins the Rave Green on a four-year contract with a club option for 2028, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.
“We are thrilled to welcome Pedro to the Sounders organization and the city of Seattle,” said Sounders FC General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “A talented, exciting young player with a ton of promise ahead of him, we believe Pedro is an excellent addition to our team both on and off the field.”
De la Vega occupies a Young Designated Player slot, joining fellow Designated Players Raúl Ruidíaz and Albert Rusnák on the roster. He is the club’s first Young Designated Player and 17th overall Designated Player since Seattle joined MLS in 2009.
De la Vega has spent his entire professional career with Lanús of the Argentine Primera División, debuting in 2018 and going on to make 127 appearances (77 starts) across all competitions for the club. The Olvarría, Argentina native is coming off a breakout season in 2023, finishing second on the team with six goals and adding three assists in 25 matches during Lanús’ Liga Profesional season, in addition to four assists in 13 matches during the club’s Copa de la Liga Profesional run. The impressive season came following a 2022 campaign where de la Vega appeared in only one match due to injury.
“We are very excited to welcome Pedro to our team and can’t wait to get to work with him in preseason camp,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “He’s a dangerous player with a creative skillset in the final third. As a coaching staff, we look forward to seeing how he can elevate our attack.”
Prior to the 2022 season, de la Vega made 15 or more appearances every season he was with the club, including a 2021 campaign where he appeared in 36 matches across all competitions, recording four goals and two assists. He notably made nine appearances (seven starts) in Lanús’ second-place run in 2020 Copa Sudamericana, scoring a goal…
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