LA Galaxy's Julian Araujo lands move to Barcelona
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Feb 17, 2023
It doesn't mean he'll be able to play right away — paperwork to complete his registration by the Jan. 31 deadline was late by 18 seconds — or that he'll play for the LaLiga leader — Barcelona announced the move as a transfer to second-team Barca Atletic (Barcelona B) — but Araujo is now a Barcelona player through June 2026.
He will begin training at Barcelona B under head coach Rafa Marquez, the former Mexican star. Barca is reportedly continuing its efforts to get the registration approved to allow him to play this season.
“This was a move that was too good to decline. We knew that he was going to be leaving at some point. The timing was great because it was at the end of the window,” said Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “There is a real understanding that players can develop and get better and move on to a world-class club.”
SA Confidential: Julian Araujo is calm and content, and finally in no rush to get somewhere else By Scott French (Oct. 2022)
Araujo, 21, joined the Galaxy in 2019. He tallied two goals and 20 assists in 108 games played (96 starts) across all competitions in four seasons. In 2022, he recorded a career-high nine assists and added one goal in 39 games.
Love, Jules pic.twitter.com/6Y5DTHVleb
— Julian Araujo (@julian__araujo) February 17, 2023
Araujo grew up in Lompoc, California, and played for Santa Barbara Soccer Club before moving to the Barca Residency Academy in Arizona.
He represented the USA in U-20 World Cup and Olympic qualifying and earned one senior cap before filing a switch of association to play for Mexico. He played in one 2022 World Cup qualifier but did not go to Qatar.
I get the impression that the cross border competition between Mexico and the US for young players is a lose-lose situation for the players. I hope he gets more caps in the future.
Bob, I get the Impression that Farca PAID some Vice-Co-Chairman of FIFA Mafia "Late" Transfer Committee, a "Stipend" to Erase those 18 Seconds.!!!