San Diego FC has finalized a high-profile roster addition by acquiring Mexican international winger Hirving “Chucky” Lozano from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, positioning the club’s high-stakes arrival in Major League Soccer with a marquee global star.
According to Major League Soccer announcements, Lozano signed a Designated Player contract through the 2028 season. The deal establishes the Mexican star as the centerpiece of the expansion franchise ahead of its debut season. San Diego FC sporting director Tyler Heaps confirmed the signing, noting that Lozano’s competitive profile aligns directly with the club’s long-term ambitions on the pitch.
Transfer Details and MLS Contract Structure
The agreement between San Diego FC and PSV Eindhoven commands a reported transfer fee of approximately $12 million, according to league and club disclosures. Lozano joins the expansion side after completing the current Eredivisie campaign with PSV, where he helped secure the Dutch league title. Under the terms of his Designated Player contract, Lozano’s salary will exceed the maximum salary budget, allowing San Diego FC to invest heavily in its inaugural roster without violating league financial restrictions.
San Diego FC owner Mohamed Mansour and CEO Tom Penn orchestrated the multi-year pursuit of the winger, utilizing Major League Soccer’s expansion mechanisms to secure the player’s rights. League officials verified that Lozano will officially join the club in January after the conclusion of the 2024 Major League Soccer secondary transfer window preparations.
International Pedigree and Career Trajectory
Lozano brings extensive European and international experience to Southern California, having competed at the highest levels of club and international football. According to FIFA and CONCACAF records, the 28-year-old attacker has earned over 65 caps for the Mexico national team, featuring in multiple FIFA World Cup tournaments. Before returning to PSV Eindhoven for a second stint in 2023, Lozano played for Italian Serie A side Napoli, where he won the league championship during the 2022-2023 season and became the first Mexican player to capture a Serie A title.
His professional career began with Liga MX club Pachuca, where he debuted in 2014 before transferring to Europe in 2017. San Diego FC leadership anticipates that Lozano’s familiarity with North American soccer culture and his massive regional fanbase will drive immediate ticket sales and local engagement.
Impact on San Diego FC Inaugural Season
San Diego FC will begin play at Snapdragon Stadium as MLS’s 30th franchise. The club operates under the ownership group led by Mansour alongside the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, making it the first Major League Soccer team in partnership with a Native American tribe. Head coach Mikey Varas and his technical staff plan to build their tactical framework around Lozano’s pace on the flank and proven goalscoring ability in tight spaces.
With the acquisition complete, San Diego FC turns its attention to filling out the remaining Designated Player slots and building depth during the upcoming MLS SuperDraft and international transfer windows.
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