On Thursday, it was announced that LAFC has signed Honduran defender Denil Maldonado on loan through the 2023 MLS season with an option to exercise a permanent transfer from Honduran team CD Motagua.
The 24-year-old Honduran international will be added to LAFC's roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
Denil Maldonado is Black & Gold.
— LAFC (@LAFC) December 22, 2022
📝 #LAFC signs Honduran defender Denil Maldonado on loan through the 2023 @MLS season with an option to exercise a permanent transfer from CD Motagua.
"Denil is a strong, talented defender with considerate international experience and has captained teams to success," said LAFC Co-President and General Manager John Thorrington. "He will provide great versatility and quality to our strong back line. We are excited to welcome Denil to LAFC and appreciate the support and collaboration from Motagua as well as his representative."
Maldonado started his professional career with CD Motagua in 2015 under Diego Vasquez, the current manager of the Honduras national team. Making his senior debut with the club at 17 years old, Maldonado worked hard to become a key player with the Blue Eagles until he became an immovable piece in the starting XI.
The 6-foot-tall center-back made a total of 116 appearances with Motagua, earning five Liga Nacional championships and one Honduran Supercup. Maldonado scored five goals and registered two assists while playing in the Honduran first division with Motagua.
Maldonado also had loan stints with Liga MX side Club Pachuca in 2019, and with Chilean club CD Everton in 2020 before returning to Motagua in 2022.
On the international stage, Maldonado began playing for Honduras at the U-17 level ad made his senior team debut as a 21-year-old in 2019. In addition, Maldonado played in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics as well as in nine 2022 World Cup Qualifying matches for his country. Maldonado has earned 21 caps for Honduras and brings plenty of international experience with him to LAFC.
Maldonado also has three appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League, all with Motagua.
Bienvenido al Barrio Angelino, Denil. 🇭🇳#LAFC pic.twitter.com/bN6JVoR2M0
— LAFC (@LAFC) December 22, 2022
A right-footed defender, Maldonado joins center backs Giorgio Chiellini, Jesus Murillo, and Tony Leone along the back line, as Eddie Segura's return to the club has yet to be announced.
Sebastien Ibeagha recently signed with FC Dallas and Mamadou Fall is still on loan with La Liga side Villareal CF until at least the summer.
It will be interesting to see how quickly Maldonado settles in with the Black & Gold, but with a heavy schedule of games in 2023, the 24-year-old defender will have his opportunity to shine with LAFC.