Real Sociedad's Carlos Vela to join Los Angeles FC in January
The Mexican former Arsenal striker is to make the move to Major League Soccer new boys LAFC, it was revealed on Tuesday evening.
Major League Soccer newcomers Los Angeles Football Club have struck a deal to sign Real Sociedad's Carlos Vela, with the Mexican attacker to join the club in January 2018 as they embark on their maiden season in MLS.
Real Sociedad and Vela confirm MLS move
La Real confirmed on Tuesday evening that they have reached an "initial agreement" with MLS over the 28-year-old, who later posted a video of himself in an LAFC baseball cap and tracksuit top, underneath the caption "My new Club in 2018."
He had been linked with moves back to LigaMX previously but it is the LA-based club, backed by a consortium that includes Cardiff City's Vincent Tan, who have convinced him to cross the Atlantic.
Striker to leave European football after over a decade
After 233 games and 72 goals with Real Sociedad and with just one year to run on his current contract, Vela will bid adieu to San Sebastian after six years despite Mexico manager, Juan Carlos Osorio, urging his players to stay in Europe in the build up to the World Cup during the summer of 2018.
Vela, who has been in Europe since 2005 when he moved to Arsenal from Guadalajara as a teenager, also fulfilled loan spells at Celta Vigo, Salamanca, Osasuna and West Brom. He will become the MLS side's first designated player.