Revolution Acquire Midfielder Sebastian Lletget From Galaxy For $500,000 In General Allocation Money
FOXBORO (CBS) -- The Revolution lost Tajon Buchanan this offseason, but may have found his replacement. New England has acquired midfielder Sebastian Lletget in a trade with the Los Angeles Galaxy, the club announced Thursday.
Lletget comes to New England after seven seasons in Los Angeles, in exchange for $500,000 in 2022 and 2023 General Allocation Money. The Galaxy may receive additional future GAM if certain performance-based conditions are met.
Lletget joined the Galaxy in 2015, where he played under current Revs head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena. He said that rejoining Arena -- and playing for a club that set a new MLS record for points in a season in 2021 -- has him extremely excited for 2022 and beyond.
"There was interest around the league, but there can always be interest. Until a club actually takes the next step, the initiative, and really shows that they want you -- Bruce and New England did that and that's what really got me exited," Lletget said during a Zoom session with reporters following the trade. "That and going to a good team. There were a lot of good teams last year, but New England exceeded everyone's expectations. It was amazing to watch, so to now be a part of it, once I heard about it, it was impossible not to be excited."
He's already spoken to Arena about how he'll fit in best with New England, and though Lletget is an extremely versatile player, he said that he is most comfortable as an attacking midfielder. He moved around a lot in Los Angeles, which impacted his ability to master one position.
That will not be a problem in New England, where Arena agrees that he'll be an attacking midfielder and won't move around. Lletget is excited to get back to work with Arena, calling his arrival in New England a "full circle" moment.
"He brought me to the Galaxy, gave me my first cap with the national team. It's set up to be something great," he said. "There will be challenges along the way, bumps on the road, but I'm just very excited. Hard to tell what the future holds, but I hope we lift up some silverware. That's my goal; I want to win. I wasn't able to do that with the Galaxy, but this is going to be a challenge that I'm looking for."
Lletget played 158 games for L.A., scoring 23 goals while dishing out 27 assists. He had three goals and five assists in his 26 games (including 21 starts) for the Galaxy in 2021.
The 29-year-old San Francisco native has also made 33 appearances for the U.S. Men's National Team, making his debut in 2017. He was on the club that won the Concacaf Gold Cup last year, and has eight goals in his 33 caps for the USMNT. In 2021, he totaled four goals in 16 caps and helped capture the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup title alongside new Revolution teammates Matt Turner and Henry Kessler.
Lletget began his career with West Ham United in 2010 after developing in the London-based club's Academy. He made his professional debut for West Ham an FA Cup match in January 2014 and featured in 54 contests for West Ham's Under-23 side.
Now he's set to hit New England for the first time -- ever. He cannot wait to get started and officially introduce himself to Revs fans.
"I've always missed that game and it's been kind of weird. So this is new and fresh to me," said Lletget. "There are no negatives on any part. This is going to be an awesome experience."
