LAFC make two great signings to improve squad ahead of new season
By Daniel Garza
LAFC have made two great additions to their squad to begin 2021
The first two signings of 2021 for LAFC have been announced. Forward Corey Baird and defender Kim Moon-Hwan are the two acquisitions the Western Conference club have made. Baird joins LAFC from Real Salt Lake via trade as RSL received $500,000 in general allocation money, an international roster spot, and future considerations. Moon-Hwan joins from a transfer from South Korean club Busan IPark.
Baird brings MLS experience to a young squad
After finishing his third season in Major League Soccer, Baird is set to play for his second club in his MLS career. Baird was the 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year and brings three years of experience to Los Angeles. The forward can play as a winger or as a center forward which will allow him to fit in well at LAFC. After losing Bradley Wright-Phillips, LAFC needed to bring in another strong offensive player to fill the void left by the prolific goal scorer.
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Baird is coming off of the lowest season goal total of his career but there’s reason to believe he can thrive at LAFC. After scoring two goals and registering four assists in the 2020 campaign, he should be able to better that total as he joins a club with plenty of attacking talent.
Being able to play with top attacking talent such as Carlos Vela should see him get plenty of opportunities to record a career-high in goals.
The 24-year-old has shown in seasons past he is able to be a contributor to regular goal scoring. In the 2018 season, he registered eight goals and five assists which led to his Rookie of the Year award. If he can replicate his rookie season form then this move should prove to be a good move by LAFC.
Moon-Hwan improves LAFC backline
Signing the talented right back Moon-Hwan greatly improves the LAFC backline. It was no secret that LAFC struggled defensively last season and the South Korean defender can help ensure the club improves in 2021. Moon-Hwan made 19 appearances for Busan IPark in the K League during the 2020 regular season and an additional five appearances in the K League Final B. He registered one goal for the South Korean club during the 2020 season.
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LAFC now have three great players at right back and left back on their roster in Moon-Hwan, Diego Palacios, and Marco Farfan. Bringing in Moon-Hwan and Farfan are two great moves so far this offseason by the LAFC front office. They are addressing needs on their team which can only help the club as they look to return to the top of the Western Conference in 2021.