The Galaxy have added Colombian defender Carlos Emiro Garces on loan from Deportivo Pereira through the end of the MLS season, the club announced Tuesday.
Garces, 22, has made 67 appearances with Pereira, since making his debut last year. During the current season, he’s made 10 appearances, nine starts.
The loan deal comes with an option to purchase.
Garces, a center back, gives the Galaxy some added depth at the position. Jalen Neal has yet to make his season debut and Martin Caceres, who has started next to Maya Yoshida this season, suffered an injury in last Saturday’s win over Seattle. The extent and severity of his injury has yet to be determined. Eriq Zavaleta is the only other healthy center back on the roster.
“He brings great experience for his age having been a part of Pereira’s first ever Colombian league title-winning team as well as starting matches in the 2023 Copa Libertadores competition,” Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz said in a statement. “We look forward to having Emiro’s experience and competitiveness bolster our defensive unit.”
The Galaxy are off to a better start on the defensive end this season, having allowed eight goals, along with an own goal in six games.
