Former Mexico star Hirving "Chucky" Lozano has joined the LA Galaxy on an initial loan deal through the rest of the 2026 season from San Diego FC, the clubs announced Friday.
The deal makes Lozano a Designated Player (DP) for the Galaxy for the remainder of 2026, with an option to make the move from San Diego permanent next season.
Lozano will continue to count as a DP if the Galaxy make the move a permanent trade, sources told ESPN's Jeff Carlisle.
The 31-year-old is the fourth-highest earner in MLS, with guaranteed compensation in 2026 of $9.3 million. San Diego will pick up a considerable portion of Lozano's salary this season and next season, if the Galaxy sign him permanently, sources added.
"We have been working with Hirving and his side to find the right opportunity for him to get him back on the field," San Diego sporting director Tyler Heaps said in a statement. "We appreciate his contributions during our record-setting inaugural season and wish him well as he continues his career."
Lozano last played for San Diego in November 2025 and has been left out of the team's matchday squads for months after tensions emerged between the player and his club. A source told ESPN earlier this year that there was an intense moment that escalated into a shouting match last October between Lozano and head coach Mikey Varas.
Heaps previously noted that the Mexican player was not in the "sporting plans" for the club ahead of the 2026 season, Lozano said last December that he wouldn't entertain offers over the winter.
Lozano scored 11 times and added 11 assists across 31 appearances for San Diego in 2025.
Lacking game time and training aside from the team, Lozano was left out of Mexico's World Cup roster as the co-hosts made a run to the round of 16 at this summer's tournament in North America.
Lozano scored 18 goals in 75 appearances for Mexico since debuting in 2016, including a memorable game-winner against Germany at the 2018 World Cup. A product of the Pachuca academy in Liga MX, the pacey attacker later made the leap to Europe and played for the likes of PSV Eindhoven (twice) and Napoli, before signing on with San Diego for their 2025 MLS debut season.
Lozano will look to regain his form with the Galaxy, and help provide a spark to the Southern California side, which is currently 12th in the Western Conference.
"Hirving is a player whom we tried to acquire three years ago, so this feels like something of a full circle moment," Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz said. "He is a fierce competitor with an excellent track record of performing on teams that have competed for titles in multiple leagues, including his debut season in MLS.
"As we evaluated opportunities to strengthen our roster for the stretch run of the season, it became clear that Hirving was the right player for the moment we are in as a club. We have a talented group, a strong locker room, and a clear objective over these final 15 games of the season, and we are thrilled that Hirving and his family are joining the Galaxy."
The Galaxy return to play away against the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 15.
ESPN Mexico's Leon Lecanda contributed to this report.