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LAFC signs Uruguayan youth international forward Diego Rossi

Los Angeles FC signed rising Uruguayan star Diego Rossi as a designated player on Tuesday.

Rossi, a 19-year-old forward, joins the new MLS club from Penarol of Uruguay's Primera Division. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but sources told ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle that LAFC would pay a transfer fee of just under $4 million.

He made 47 first-team appearances in all competitions for Penarol since making his first-team debut in April 2016.

Rossi has played for Uruguay's under-17 and under-20 national teams, helping the latter with the South American Youth Championship in February.

"Diego is a young and exciting attacking player," LAFC coach Bob Bradley said in a statement. "His experiences at Penarol and his ability fit perfectly with our vision of the team we are building at LAFC. We believe Diego will mature into a top-class player."

Rossi will be the second-youngest DP in MLS history, after Fabian Castillo signed with FC Dallas when he was 18 in 2011.

"We are incredibly excited to announce the signing of Diego Rossi," LAFC general manager John Thorrington said. "We believe he will be a great asset on and off the field for LAFC and MLS. Diego is a player with great promise and international interest.

"It is another powerful statement from LAFC and our league that Diego is choosing to take the next step of his career in Los Angeles."

Rossi joins Mexico forward Carlos Vela as a DP on LAFC, which has also made moves in recent weeks to acquire Egypt defender Omar Gaber and U.S. defender Walker Zimmerman.

And according to a report in Metro, LAFC is pursuing a trade for another U.S. international in New York Red Bulls captain Sacha Kljestan.

The club also selected Costa Rica striker Marco Urena in the expansion draft this week, along with goalkeeper Tyler Miller and forward Latif Blessing.

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