Los Angeles FC is set to add a third Designated Player to its ranks by dropping a $7-million fee to sign Portuguese midfielder Andre Horta from SL Benfica, bringing the 21-year-old in on a multi-year contract for just over $1-million per season in salary, sources told Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC.
An official announcement is expected this week, but Horta, who is currently on loan at SC Braga, might not arrive in Los Angeles for some time. Unless Braga chooses to release Horta, Bob Bradley's MLS expansion franchise will need to wait until July 10, when the year's secondary transfer window opens.
Carlisle reports that LAFC would need an answer from Braga regarding an early termination by May 1, but added that the chance of Braga allowing Horta to leave before that date was "slim."
Horta would join Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi to make up LAFC's DP trio, with the young midfielder bringing limited experience in the Portuguese top flight. He has made 22 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring just one goal, and has a further 43 matches under his belt over the last two seasons.
Horta also has experience playing for several Portugal youth national teams.
