David Martínez: LAFC sign wonderkid from Monagas SC for Venezuelan record fee

It is one of the more fascinating transfers of the Major League Soccer primary transfer window. On Thursday, LAFC announced that they had signed 17-year-old Venezuelan winger David Martínez from Monagas SC. The transfer fee is understood to be in the region of $3.5 million (€3.2m), which makes Martínez the most expensive player in Liga FUTVE history. The deal will be completed on February 7 when Martínez turns 18 and the winger will sign a U22 Initiative contract until 2027 with an option for 2028.

“David is one of the most sought-after young players in South America with an impressive amount of experience despite his age,” said LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington in a club statement. “We are incredibly excited about David’s potential and his future at LAFC. I would like to thank our scout Pipe Altamar for his great work as well as Nicolas Fernandez from Monagas for their critical roles in the process to sign David.”

Signing Martínez constitutes a major coupe for LAFC. The Venezuelan winger has been coveted around the world and has been heavily scouted by Dutch giants Ajax. Other clubs interested included Arsenal and Red Bull Salzburg. In fact, Transfermarkt understands that various European top clubs were interested in the winger. But ultimately, LAFC with their ever-expanding network of clubs as part of their partnership with Bayern Munich were able to secure the forward.

David Martínez to LAFC – 17-year-old already a senior national team player

Favourably compared to Canadian men’s national team winger Tajon Buchanan by The Athletic’s South America expert Felipe Cárdenas, there is no doubt that Martínez is one of the brightest talents in South America. Only 17, the winger already made his senior national team debut for Venezuela in 1-0 win over Guatemala in June. Previously Martínez impressed at the youth level, in particular, the U17 where he scored eight goals in 13 games.