CARSON, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Galaxy has added more firepower to their forward line ahead of their title-defense season.
The reigning MLS Cup champions announced today that they’d acquired Forward Matheus Nascimento on loan from Brazilian Série A side Botafogo for the 2025 season. The Galaxy’s new signing will occupy an international roster slot and be registered under the U22 initiative. The Galaxy used their final MLS U22 Initiative roster spot to seal Nascimento’s signing.
LA acquired Nascimento’s Discovery Rights from the Seattle Sounders in exchange for $50K in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM). They also hold a purchase option for the 20-year-old.
Should they choose to buy the young Brazilian permanently, LA will send Seattle an additional $150K in 2026 GAM.
Bem vindo a Los Angeles, Matheus 🇧🇷
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) February 19, 2025
We have acquired forward Matheus Nascimento on loan from Brazilian Série A side Botafogo for the 2025 season with a purchase option.
📰: https://t.co/qYGqhUx3Ce | @kinecta pic.twitter.com/NYUVVQP3nC
New LA Galaxy Signing Nascimento is Young but Experienced
Already an experienced first-team player in Brazil, with his debut coming at the age of 16, Nascimento is the youngest player ever to make his debut for Botafogo. He played 98 matches across six seasons for the Brazilian giants, 55 of which were starts. He scored 12 goals and added seven assists in all appearances.
His best season came in 2022 when he scored five goals in 33 matches in all competitions.
In 2024, Nascimento helped Botafogo win the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Série A league title by adding two assists during those campaigns. The forward also scored one goal and added one assist in five matches (four starts) for Botafogo during the 2025 Campeonato Carioca.
The Niterói, Brazil, native has also represented his country across several age groups. On November 4, 2023, he was part of the Brazilian National Team, which defeated Chile in penalties and earned the 2023 Pan American Games gold medal. He was also part of the 2023 FIFA U-20 Brazilian World Cup team that was eliminated in the quarterfinal round, adding an assist in the loss.
"Matheus has been exposed to the highest level of professional competitions in South America since signing at 16 and has been a consistent part of the national team for Brazil at every youth age group," LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz said via press release. "He is an exciting prospect that will be able to continue his development in our environment, and we look forward to him integrating into our group for the start of the MLS season."
Nascimento will be added to the Galaxy’s roster upon receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
It will be a race against time for Nascimento to be cleared to play ahead of Los Angeles’ home and season opener against San Diego FC on February 23, 2025.
