Cristian Arango signs a three-year deal with Pachuca

Cristian Arango was very clear about his posture of wanting to earn more money after being the top scorer for the Los Angeles Football Club last year and helping them win the 2022 MLS Cup, their first one in franchise history. The Colombian international was earning a base salary of $659,000 in his first year with LAFC and during the 2022 campaign he earned $683,000, according to the MLS Player Association.

Arango had the eight-highest salary on the Black & Gold and he knew that after being the top-leading scorer in the past two seasons, it was time for a contract extension. Unfortunately things didn’t work out as planned for both sides and Arango decided to force his exit and join the Liga MX side for the Clausura 2023.

Arango part of LAFC history

Club Pachuca took advantage of the situation and they offered him a three-year contract and this will help LAFC keep their current payroll, which was $19 million last season. It hasn’t been disclosed how much Arango will be earning and the total sum of his transfer, but LAFC reportedly rejected a $6.3 million offer from Al-Hali during the transfer window.

“We knew coming out of a successful 2022, we would need to make a major move, and likely a difficult decision ahead of roster compliance,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “We evaluated all possibilities and this transfer provides the needed resources and flexibility to continue our ambition of winning trophies. Whenever possible, we work with the player, as we did in this case upon receiving Chicho’s request. Chicho will forever remain an important part of LAFC, and we wish him and his family all the best in the next stage of his career at Pachuca.”