LAFC have confirmed the signing of full-back Omar Campos from Liga MX figure Santos Laguna on a deal through the 2027 MLS season with an option for 2028.

Campos makes the move after spending the last four years with the Mexican side, managing 114 appearances with the first team in which he bagged three goals and eight assists. Prior to breaking through with the first team, Campos suited up 37 times for the club’s U20 side.

The 21-year-old left-back joins the Black and Gold as Diego Palacios’ replacement, who departed BMO Stadium earlier this winter to join Brazilian side Corinthians. Campos will link up with a full-back group that already contains the likes of Ryan Hollingshead and Sergi Palencia.

“Omar is an incredibly talented left back with incredible potential and vast experience in Liga MX despite his young age,” LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said in a release.

“Omar is a fantastic addition to our strong group of defenders, and we are confident this move to LAFC will be a positive one for Omar and our club in our pursuit of more trophies. I would also like to thank Santos and the Orlegi group for their cooperation throughout the process.”

Campos has represented the Mexican national team once in his young career and will look to earn his place back in Jaime ‘Jimmy’ Lozano’s squad, facing competition from the likes of Gerardo Arteaga and Jesus Gallardo at left-back.

Although Campos didn’t lift any major trophies during his time in Liga MX, his chances of adding to his personal trophy cabinet have drastically improved as LAFC were nearly defeated in three finals in 2023. The Black and Gold have already won trophies in their seven years of existence as an MLS side.

LAFC’s transfer window has now finally kicked up up a few notches after the early signing of Hugo Lloris and now Campos, with a few more players expected to come through the door in the coming weeks.

LAFC’s 2024 season begins on February 24 at home against Seattle Sounders, pitting the two clubs against each other for a rematch of the Western Conference semifinals in last year’s postseason action.