The Galaxy made their first big move of the offseason, acquiring defender Jakob Glesnes, along with the Homegrown Priority to young forward Jamir Johnson in a trade with the Philadelphia Union on Monday.
The move will cost the Galaxy $1.1 million in GAM (General Allocation Money), split over the next two years – $500,000 in 2026 and $600,000 in 2027. The deal could also net the Union up to $1.1 million in additional GAM, if “certain performance-based metrics are met by Glesnes or Johnson.”
The center piece of the deal is Glesnes, the 2022 MLS Defender of the Year and the 2025 runner-up. Glesnes, 31, has spent the last six seasons with the Union, earning MLS Best XI honors twice and making three All-Star appearances.
“Some of you already know. I’m sad to announce that my time in Philadelphia has come to an end,” Glesnes said in an Instagram post. “I just want to say thank you for the last 6 years. You guys took my family and me in with open arms and made us feel welcome from day one. We have me some great people on the way and made a lot of good friends in and around the club. Philly will always be special to us. Thank you, Union!”
Glesnes’ contract is guaranteed for 2026 and 2027, with an option for 2028.
The acquisition crowds the center back position on the Galaxy roster, which already includes Maya Yoshida, Zanka, Emiro Garces and Chris Rindov. Zanka is under contract through 2026. Yoshida has been linked with a possible return to Japan’s J-League. Garces, who is expected to start at one of the center back spots, is under contract through 2026 and Rindov, who signed a first-team contract late last season, is under contract through 2026, with club options for 2027 and 2028.
The other intriguing part of this deal is Johnson, a 17-year-old from the Philadelphia Union Academy. He was part of the U.S. U-17 World Cup and was part of the Academy’s runs to the Adidas Cup final at the U-15 level and the U-17 level. He has been linked with a move to PSV Eindhoven, where he recently spent time training in the summer.
GALAXY NOT PARTICIPATING IN LEAGUES CUP
The 2026 Leagues Cup competition with Liga MX and MLS teams will run from Aug. 4-Sept. 6. All 18 clubs from Mexico will compete and 18 from MLS, the nine teams from each conference that qualified for last season’s MLS Cup playoffs.
This is the fourth year of the tournament. The Galaxy finished third last season, qualifying for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
MLS SUPERDRAFT SET FOR FRIDAY
The league’s annual college draft will take place on Friday (11 a.m. PT, streaming on MLSsoccer.com). The Galaxy currently hold two picks (No. 35 and 60) in the second and third rounds, respectively.
