At the age of 28, with a promising future still ahead of him in Europe, Mexican sensation Hirving “Chucky” Lozano has made the decision to continue his career with San Diego FC, where he will secure the most lucrative contract of his career.
The rumors that have been circulating for several weeks, gaining momentum with each passing day, have finally materialized. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano will be the newest addition to San Diego, the latest franchise in Major League Soccer (MLS).
The announcement was made by the club itself, through its social media channels, extending a warm welcome to the Mexican superstar. Lozano’s signing marks a historic moment for the club, as he becomes their first major signing for the upcoming MLS season.
Furthermore, the Californian institution confirmed that Lozano will join the club until 2025, commencing from the start of the 2025 MLS season, signing a four-year contract to represent the colors of San Diego FC.
“Securing a player of Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano’s international caliber is the ultimate endorsement of our project in San Diego. His journey from Pachuca to the global stage resonates with how ‘Right to Dream’ academies provide opportunities for talent everywhere, and we hope that story can inspire and motivate the next generation of talents in San Diego County and beyond,” stated San Diego FC owner, Sir Mohamed Mansour.
The MLS team shared Lozano’s first statements as a San Diego FC player, where he expressed his excitement about joining this new project.
“It is an honor to join San Diego FC as the Club’s first Designated Player. It is exciting to be part of history as we build a Club that will compete for MLS championships. In every country where I have played, I have always strived to leave a mark, and making an impact in San Diego and the MLS is very important to me,” mentioned the Mexican forward.
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Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano joins San Diego FC
In light of this, the club has already begun promoting and selling official Lozano and San Diego merchandise, including jerseys featuring the Aztec footballer’s face.
As previously mentioned, Chucky will not join the MLS until February 2025. In the meantime, the Mexican will continue playing with his current team, PSV Eindhoven, until January.
“I am more than excited and look forward to finishing the year strong with PSV Eindhoven and joining San Diego FC early in 2025,” added Chucky Lozano.
Lozano will have the second-highest contract in the MLS, only surpassed by Lionel Messi, according to Vanguardia. The Mexican will earn approximately $9 million per season.
Now, the most important question arises: When will Chucky Lozano’s first match be as a proud San Diego FC player? It’s important to note that, unlike other leagues, the MLS aligns its season with the calendar year. Therefore, instead of playing from August to May, they play from February to November or December. Chucky will officially become a San Diego player on January 1, 2025.
Hence, his debut will be during preseason in January, with his first official match scheduled for February of that year.