Major League Soccer has already had some big signings early in the season but LAFC’s newest addition, Andre Horta, coming this summer, has the potential to be huge.
At just the age of 21, André Horta will be joining LAFC this summer. MLS’ newest club will be signing Horta as a Designated Player, which will be their third and final DP signing. A $7 million transfer fee is what the report stated it will likely cost LAFC.
I am Black & Gold. 🙏 @LAFC @LAFC3252 #NewGoals #SameAmbition pic.twitter.com/fbQhvIBhYT
— André Horta (@AndreHorta8) March 27, 2018
The midfielder is currently on a season-long loan at SC Braga in Portugal via Benfica. He originally began his career at Vitória de Setúba, starting in 2014, and then moved to Benfica in 2016 on a five-year contract.
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In 23 appearances for Braga this season, Horta has one goal and seven assists.
Hearing that Andre Horta has finalized a deal to MLS... Player had been linked to #LAFC in recent weeks. Deal with Benfica is done, per source.
— Kristian Dyer (@KristianRDyer) March 25, 2018
The reason this transfer could prove to be the biggest signing of the season is the future Horta could potentially have in MLS.
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He is a talented player who has represented Portugal at virtually every level in the youth system. Additionally, he is certainly regarded as one of the top prospects coming through the Portuguese system, and his five-year contract at Benfica speaks of the club’s original intentions of his value to them. If things continue to go well in his career, then Horta should be a future member of the Portuguese national team.
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Despite his limited playing time with Benfica, it is not fair to say that Horta is coming to MLS as some type of last-ditch resort to stay at a high-level football. In fact, the reason Horta is not expected to arrive at LAFC till summer is because Braga are still in great need of his role in the midfield.
Horta is a playmaker and with seven assists in 23 appearances, it is easy to see why he is worth the transfer fee. LAFC could have a future MVP on their roster, and with a four-year contract, Horta will be a mainstay in the lineup. What’s not what to like?
This move is also good for MLS as a whole. If Horta plays out the years on his contract and re-signs, then the league could have one of its stars be a mainstay, which is fantastic for overall growth. On the other hand, one has to wonder if Horta may end up like Jack Harrison, returning to Europe following a successful stint in MLS. Regardless, these two scenarios will continue to give MLS the respect it deserves.
Of course, all of this is based on the best case scenario that Horta indeed lives up to his billing. But with the way LAFC’s DP’s have already been playing, it seems as though they know what they are looking for in a DP. Certainly, the performances Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi testify to that thinking.
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Keep on eye on this player in the future. He may just be the next superstar of MLS.