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LA Galaxy sign Joao Pedro from Vitoria

@AndGasparotto/Twitter

The LA Galaxy announced Thursday the acquisition of Portuguese midfielder Joao Pedro Almeida Machado - known as Joao Pedro - out of Vitoria Guimaraes, using Targeted Allocation Money to complete the discovery signing.

Pedro, 23, is a defensive-minded central midfielder who joins a Galaxy team looking for reinforcements in that very position as the departures of Nigel De Jong and Steven Gerrard in 2016 have left the team barren in the middle of the park.

"Joao is an extremely talented midfielder who has experience playing at a high level in Portugal," general manager Peter Vagenas said in a statement.

"He is only 23 years old and has the best years of his career front of him. We identified him as a top target this offseason and we think he can immediately help strengthen our midfield.

"We look forward to welcoming Joao to Los Angeles as we continue to prepare for the upcoming season."

Pedro has been a member of Vitoria Guimaraes since his youth days, joining the club's academy in 2005 before graduating to its reserve B-team in 2012. He went on to make over 100 appearances for Vitoria B before being promoted to the senior roster in 2014.

With Vitoria, Pedro has made 17 appearances this season, scoring one goal.

He'll be joined by veteran midfielder Jermaine Jones in Curt Onalfo's midfield, as the club formally announced his signing on Wednesday.

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