Day: June 14, 2024

MLS expansion side San Diego FC showed Hirving “Chucky’’ Lozano on Thursday as the ‘ ‘cornerstone’’ of their ambitious project that begins during the 2025 season. 

The Mexican international, was announced last week as San Diego’s first-ever Designated Player on a reported $12 million transfer from Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven. Club CEO Tom Penn described him as a “magnificent deal for MLS, for San Diego FC and a lot of people who worked really hard to make it happen.”

“Building something special”

Penn, who contributed to Carlos Vela’s arrival at then-expansion side LAFC ahead of their 2018 debut season, believes that Lozano could be a transformative signing for San Diego. They expect him to be as good as Vela was for Los Angeles FC.

“We wanted a cornerstone of our club, someone who embraces our entire project,” Penn said of the CF Pachuca product who also played for Italian Serie A side SSC Napoli. “And when Chucky learned of the Right to Dream [youth academy], of what our ambitions are for North America, for the United States, for Mexico, and when he and [wife] Ana heard the story, they identified with this.

“And that means a lot, because we’re building something special and the most important aspect is our players. And for Chucky to be so excited about Right to Dream and to be the leader and mentor and to help the next generations of talents, that’s the other part of this project – in addition to scoring goals, winning matches and lifting trophies.”

Lozano too is stoked about his responsibilities, highlighting San Diego’s emphasis on youth development as a significant factor in his decision to move Stateside for 2025.

“Right to Dream is a very important project on a global scale that few clubs have,” he said. “Helping youngsters in Mexico and the United States is very important for me because I want to leave a mark in my career.”

“… I had different proposals [from other clubs], but this one fulfilled me in every sense because I really identified with every aspect [of the project], and that was the most important thing for me.”

Major League Soccer’s newest star

There is also the matter of winning silverware, an area Lozano has dominated throughout his club career. The 28-year-old has lifted six trophies – including Pachucha’s win of the 2016 Concacaf Champions League.

That tournament was where Loranzo first encountered the MLS, facing FC Dallas in the semifinals en route to a 4-3 aggregate victory. 

“Honestly, they were very good games. Back then you could see the level was there. The level of play has only increased in the last few years,” said Lozano, the latest of several recent blockbuster MLS signings.

“Bringing in important players like \[Lionel\] Messi, and now \[Olivier\] Giroud is coming [to LAFC]. All the players that are coming are very important. And that speaks volumes about how the league wants to grow.”

Mr. San Diego

Lozano is entering something unique by joining San Diego FC, where an entire club will be built, from scratch, around the two-time World Cup veteran.

“We want him to be able to express his special qualities,” said chief soccer officer and assistant sporting director Tyler Heaps. “… We’re taking all that into consideration, but certainly with the type of player he is and the work rate that he provides the team, it makes my job a lot easier in terms of finding players who want to play with and can play with him.”

This seriousness of the situation is not lost on Lozano, who sees his upcoming MLS adventure as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“There aren’t many players who get this opportunity,” Chucky said. “To be in this position right now is a privilege. It wasn’t very hard to make this decision.”