LA Galaxy transferred winger Gabriel Pec to Brazilian side Cruzeiro on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, for a club-record fee.
The move is significant because it allows the U.S.-based club to open a critical Designated Player roster spot while returning Pec to his home country. For Cruzeiro, the acquisition brings a pacey forward to their squad in Belo Horizonte.
Reports on the exact transfer fee vary across sources. The Daily News reported the fee at $12 million [2], while MLS Soccer cited the amount as $13 million [1] or up to $13.5 million [1]. This figure represents a record for the Brazilian club.
Pec has signed a long-term agreement with Cruzeiro. The contract is set to run through 2031 [2].
The transaction serves strategic goals for both organizations. LA Galaxy sought to reorganize their salary cap and roster flexibility by moving a high-earning player. Meanwhile, Cruzeiro targeted the winger to bolster their attacking options in the Brazilian Série A.
By finalizing the deal this week, LA Galaxy can now pursue new talent to fill the vacated Designated Player slot. The move marks a shift in the club's roster composition as they look toward the next phase of their season.
“Gabriel Pec was transferred from LA Galaxy to Cruzeiro for a club-record fee”
This transfer highlights the financial fluidity between Major League Soccer and the Brazilian league. By leveraging a record-breaking fee for Cruzeiro, LA Galaxy has successfully converted a player asset into roster flexibility, a common strategy for MLS teams managing strict salary cap constraints and Designated Player limits.
