Club Secures $4,000,000 in Historic Cash-for-Player Trade in MLS
LOS ANGELES (Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025) – The LA Galaxy announced today that they have acquired $4,000,000 from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for forward Dejan Joveljić.
Joveljić, 25, netted 44 goals and registered 18 assists in 122 appearances (64 starts) across all competitions (Leagues Cup, MLS Regular Season, MLS Cup Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup) during his four seasons with the Galaxy (2021-24). His contributions helped the team capture its sixth MLS Cup, including the game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Dec. 7.
“Dejan has firmly established himself as one of the top strikers in MLS, and his legacy will remain a key part of Galaxy history, especially after his game-winning goal in last year’s MLS Cup Final,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz. “Managing the roster and adhering to MLS’s budget constraints requires tough decisions, and this trade is a prime example of that challenge. The entire Galaxy organization is deeply grateful for Dejan’s legendary contributions, and we wish him and his family the best as they begin this next chapter.”
Born in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Joveljić scored 21 goals and recorded eight assists in 33 matches (28 starts) across all competitions during the 2024 season. His standout postseason performance included six goals and two assists in five games (all starts) during the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. In 2023, he finished with six goals and five assists in 37 matches (20 starts). In his second year with the Galaxy, he ranked second on the team with 15 goals and added three assists in 38 matches (10 starts) during the 2022 season.
After joining the Galaxy from Eintracht Frankfurt in August 2021, Joveljić scored two goals and provided two assists in 716 minutes across 14 appearances (6 starts) in the 2021 MLS Regular Season. His four game-winning contributions (3 goals, 1 assist) in the 2024 postseason are tied for the most in a single MLS postseason. He is also tied for ninth on the Galaxy’s all-time list with 36 goals in 106 MLS Regular Season appearances. His six goals in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs are the second-most in a single postseason, behind only Carlos Ruiz’s eight.
On the international stage, Joveljić has earned two goals in seven appearances (5 starts) for the Serbian National Team since his debut against Jamaica in June 2021.
Transaction: On Feb. 1, 2025, LA Galaxy acquired $4,000,000 from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for forward Dejan Joveljić.
