Who is Christian Torres, Chivas Guadalajara’s new signing from MLS?

Chivas Guadalajara have signed former Los Angeles FC winger Christian Torres, with the 19-year-old initially set to play for CD Tapatío, the Liga MX giants’ second team.

The Mexico youth international, who was born in the United States and holds Mexican and American nationality, has moved to Chivas as a free agent.

Earmarked for early first-team opportunities

While Torres is to begin life in Guadalajara with Tapatío, who play in Mexico’s second-tier Liga de Expansión, Chivas are thought to have brought the teenager to the club with a view to giving him a first-team chance at an early juncture.

“Good news for Tapatío, as a high-calibre signing has been added to the team,” the 12-time Mexican champions said in a statement on Friday, describing Torres as “an attacking midfielder who can operate on either wing”.

Torres an MLS debutant at 16

As a child, Torres trained in the academy at Chivas USA, Guadalajara’s now-defunct MLS subsidiary. He later joined the youth set-up at Los Angeles Galaxy, before moving to crosstown rivals LAFC in 2018.

Handed his debut by the Black and Gold as a 16-year-old in August 2020, he made 11 senior appearances for the 2022 MLS Cup winners, and featured 20 times for the club’s reserve team, Los Angeles FC 2.

In 2021 and 2022, Torres also made 45 appearances on loan at USL Championship team Las Vegas Lights.

Torres is the latest Mexican-American to be added to Chivas’ ranks. The Tapatío squad includes the likes of midfielder Brandon Téllez and forward Antonio Herrera, while Guadalajara’s first team now boasts USMNT winger Cade Cowell, who was signed last month from MLS team San Jose Earthquakes.