San Jose Earthquakes sign Mexican midfielder in big offseason action

SAN JOSE — In the first major outside move of the offseason, the San Jose Earthquakes announced Wednesday they have acquired Mexican midfielder Javier Eduardo Lopez on loan from famed Mexican club Chivas de Guadalajara.

Lopez, 26, is expected to fill the attacking midfielder role held by Magnus Eriksson before he returned to Sweden in the middle of last season.

“We have followed Eduardo for two years and he is as excited to come to San Jose as we are to bring him,” Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli said in a statement. “He is a dynamic attacking midfielder in his prime and will be competing for a team other than Chivas for the first time in his career.”

Chivas officials dismissed Lopez in November because of breaches of the team’s conduct code, according to reports. In May, he was punished for breaking a COVID-19 quarantine. But Almeyda knows his former player well.

“We’re confident that he will benefit from the opportunity to reunite with Matias,” Fioranelli said in a statement. “We thoroughly evaluated this transfer over the past few months and appreciate Chivas’ effort and transparency throughout the process.”

Lopez has been signed to a one-year loan deal, pending receipt of a work visa and international transfer documents, the Quakes announced. In a news release, the Major League Soccer team said it will have an option to extend the loan for a half year or buy the player outright.

Lopez had played for Chivas for his entire professional career, including almost three years under Almeyda. But Chivas officials announced in November Lopez would never wear the club’s jersey again.

“I’m very happy about this new opportunity,” Lopez said in the statement. “Coming to San Jose is something very exciting for my career, for my family, even for my friends. It’s something new in my life. I’m going to give it my all.”

Lopez also said he was excited to reunite with Almedya, who also has signed former Chivas players Carlos Fierro and  Oswaldo Alanis.

“I know by doing the right things,” Almedya “will continue to help me in all aspects of my career,” Lopez said.

Lopez made his first-team debut at age 18 in 2013.  Lopez transformed into a regular under Almeyda. He made 120 appearances and had 12 goals and nine assists playing for the coach.

Earthquakes executives now will turn their attention to the MLS draft that is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. PT on Thursday.

The Quakes currently hold the 12th, 39th and 66th picks.

So far, management has kept the core players from recent years together by re-signing star Chris Wondolowski, Shea Salinas and Tommy Thompson. Top players Cristian Espinoza, Florian Jungwirth, Andy Rios and Jackson Yueill are under contract.

The team also traded fullback Nick Lima to expansion club Austin FC last month.