Hirving Lozano swaps San Diego for LA Galaxy

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·6 August 2026

Hirving Lozano swaps San Diego for LA Galaxy

They say everyone deserves a second chance… and the LA Galaxy decided to put that theory to the test. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is leaving San Diego FC to join the Galaxy on loan, bringing one of MLS’ longest and most controversial storylines to an end.

Off the Sidelines; into the Spotlight?

After spending months frozen out because of reported issues with the coaching staff and tension inside the locker room, the Mexican international has finally found a way out in an attempt to revive a career that went from the very top to practically disappearing overnight.

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The deal between San Diego FC, the LA Galaxy and Lozano is done. He will occupy one of the Galaxy’s Designated Player spots, while San Diego will continue paying part of his hefty salary during the loan spell.

And we’re not talking about pocket change. With a guaranteed compensation package of $9.33 million in 2026, Lozano is the fourth-highest-paid player in MLS, trailing only Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min and Rodrigo De Paul. Not bad for someone who spent months watching games from the sidelines.

Lozano’s San Diego Saga

The downfall came as quickly as it was unexpected. Lozano went from being San Diego FC’s first signing in club history, the face of the franchise and its marquee player, to becoming a complete afterthought under head coach Mikey Varas following a series of internal conflicts.

Now, under Greg Vanney with the Galaxy, he’ll try to prove there’s still plenty of soccer left in those legs—and maybe convince everyone that this time the drama stays out of the dressing room.

His last official appearance came on November 29, 2025, when San Diego FC lost to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western Conference Final. In that match he got both a goal and a yellow card. After that defeat, he vanished completely: he was no longer called up, never wore the club’s shirt again, and even lost any realistic chance of making Javier Aguirre’s squad for the FIFA World Cup.

It was an unexpected ending for one of Mexico’s most accomplished players in recent years, an Eredivisie champion with PSV and the first Mexican to win the Serie A title with Napoli during the 2022-23 season.

Controversies that shaped Chucky’s career

October 2025 | San Diego FCA substitution turned into a confrontation with the coaching staff. The incident resulted in Lozano being sidelined just before the playoffs, and he never played for the club again.

June 2020 | NapoliGennaro Gattuso kicked him out of a training session after claiming he was “training without intensity.” The coach softened his stance the following day, but the episode became part of Lozano’s growing list of headlines.

November 2021 | Mexico National Team / NapoliFollowing a match with Mexico, Lozano publicly stated he wanted to move to a “bigger club,” comments that did not sit well with many Napoli supporters.

February 2019 | PSV EindhovenHis visible frustration during a match against Heerenveen sparked criticism over his attitude, although the coaching staff later insisted there were no disciplinary issues.

Numbers with San Diego FC

Lozano’s stint with San Diego FC ended with 34 official appearances, 11 goals and nine assists. Those aren’t bad numbers at all. The irony is that despite producing on the field, he still ended up leaving through the back door.