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With Los Angeles Football Club clearly in need of a new starting-caliber center back, comes rumors out of Colombia that reinforcement may be on the way, confirmed by his current club.
Several outlets, including Antena 2, reported Thursday that LAFC have agreed to a deal to bring in Jesús David Murillo on loan from Independiente Medellín, with an option to buy in the future. The deal will allow Murillo to join LAFC as soon as possible, according to the report, with the player reportedly looking for a move abroad.
The 26-year-old is currently second captain at DIM, which perhaps not coincidentally is the same club Eduard Atuesta played at before arriving at LAFC. Murillo is capable of playing as right back or center back — also not coincidentally, the two biggest positions of need for LAFC — and he’s played over 200 games for three different clubs in his career in his native Colombia. Somewhat confusingly, there’s another Jesús David Murillo who is a Colombian defender currently active, but the latter one goes by “David Murillo” and is not playing for Independiente Medellín.
The report was confirmed Thursday afternoon by DIM in an official announcement, confirming LAFC is Murillo’s destination provided he passes his physical.
[ ] El DIM, por petición de @Jesusdavidmuri2, ha llegado a un principio de acuerdo de transferencia con @LAFC. De superar los exámenes médicos, firmará su contrato con este club.
— DIM (@DIM_Oficial) October 8, 2020
Le deseamos los mayores éxitos y le agradecemos este tiempo al servicio del equipo. pic.twitter.com/hXSbLIucnI
LAFC have yet to confirm the news officially, but given DIM’s announcement, it seems set (pending the physical and immigration paperwork).
If Murillo can arrive before the end of the MLS season and be in reasonable shape, he could get playing time immediately. And with a compatriot in the one locked-in center back spot in Segura, that could help Murillo get his feet under him with LAFC looking to find stability in defense as soon as possible.
So exciting times. Here’s hoping Murillo gets the thumbs up on the physical, gets his paperwork complete in short order, and is ready to contribute for the black-and-gold. We’ll let you know when LAFC confirm the news.
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