Hirving Lozano has joined LA Galaxy on loan from San Diego FC for the rest of the 2026 season, the two clubs announced on Friday. The move makes the Mexico international a Designated Player for the Galaxy, with an option to sign him on a permanent basis next season.
Lozano is understood to remain a Designated Player if that option is exercised, with San Diego covering a considerable part of his wages for the rest of this season and, potentially, next. The 31 year old is the fourth highest earner in MLS, with guaranteed compensation of $9.3m in 2026.
San Diego sporting director Tyler Heaps said the club had been "working with Hirving and his side to find the right opportunity for him to get him back on the field," adding, "We appreciate his contributions during our record-setting inaugural season and wish him well as he continues his career." Lozano had not played for San Diego since November and had been left out of matchday squads for months after tensions with head coach Mikey Varas that included a shouting match last October. He was left out of Mexico's World Cup roster this summer as the co-hosts reached the round of 16.
A product of the Pachuca academy, Lozano scored 18 goals in 75 appearances for Mexico, including the winner against Germany at the 2018 World Cup, and played for PSV Eindhoven and Napoli before joining San Diego for their MLS debut season in 2025, when he scored 11 goals and added 11 assists in 31 appearances. Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz said the club had tried to sign Lozano three years ago and called the deal "something of a full circle moment," with 15 games left in a season in which LA currently sit 12th in the Western Conference. The Galaxy return to action away to Houston Dynamo on 15 August.