Who is Eriq Zavaleta, the LA Galaxy's latest acquisition?

It was confirmed today that Eriq Zavaleta is the LA Galaxy's most recent acquisition, joining the club on a one-year contract, with an option to stay until 2023. But who is this player?

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Zavaleta comes to the Galaxian club to relocate with Greg Vanney, who coached him when they were both parts of Toronto FC, so it won't take him long to adjust to his new club.

Who is Eriq Zavaleta?

Eriq Anthony Zavaleta is a professional Salvadoran soccer player who plays as a central defender for LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer and arrived at this club after having played for seven seasons in Toronto FC.

Zavaleta is also an international with the El Salvador national soccer team since 2021 and has extensive experience. 

Where and when was Eriq Zavaleta born?

Eriq Zavaleta was born in Westfield, Indiana, the United States on August 2, 1992, and is currently 29 years old. 

Zavaleta began his soccer career at a very young age at Westfield High School in Westfield, Indiana. In his freshman year, he scored 25 goals and nine assists as a freshman and 20 goals and 10 assists as a senior. 

This great performance on the field was enough for him to play college soccer for Indiana University where he played 22 games and led the team with 10 goals and five assists. 

In his sophomore year, he played 24 games and again led the team with 18 goals and four assists.

With this performance, it was impossible for MLS not to set its eyes on him.

How did Eriq Zavaleta get to MLS?

With his level of play, Zavaleta was picked tenth overall by the Seattle Sounders and made his debut on March 23, 2013, in a 1-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.

After that season, in 2014 the player was loaned to Chivas USA for 1 year and in the following season, his consecration would come when he landed at the club where he would develop his career to the fullest: Toronto FC. 

In this club, Zavaleta would play 118 games and score 2 goals, not bad for a central defender, who was also a key player for the Reds to win the MLS Cup treble, the Supporters' Shield, and the Canadian Championship in 2017.

One man who could not hide his happiness with Zavaleta's arrival at the club was Greg Vanney, who said, "Eriq is an experienced defender who brings more leadership and championship pedigree to our backline." 

"We welcome him to the team and look forward to integrating him into the group," said the LA Galaxy coach, a club that armed itself to the teeth for the 2022 MLS season with the arrival of Douglas Costa. 

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