The Galaxy have added Colombian defender Carlos Emiro Garces on loan from Deportivo Pereira until the end of the MLS season, the club announced Tuesday.
Garces, 22, has made 67 appearances for Pereira since his debut last year. In the current season, he has played 10 matches and started nine times.
The loan agreement comes with a purchase option.
Garces, a central defender, gives the Galaxy additional depth at this position. Jalen Neal has yet to make his season debut and Martin Caceres, who started alongside Maya Yoshida this season, was injured in last Saturday’s win over Seattle. The extent and severity of his injury remains to be determined. Eriq Zavaleta is the only other healthy center back on the roster.
“He brings great experience for his age, having been part of Pereira’s first ever team to win the Colombian league title and having started matches in the 2023 Copa Libertadores competition,” said Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz, in a press release. “We look forward to seeing Emiro’s experience and competitiveness strengthen our defensive unit.”
The Galaxy are off to a better defensive start this season, having allowed eight goals, as well as one own goal, in six games.
California Daily Newspapers
