One thing LAFC won’t do is sit idly by as a transfer window opens. The team is always looking to add talent and improve the squad in their now never-ending quest for trophies. Today, the team announced another addition, as they have acquired midfielder Lewis O’Brien, on loan, from Nottingham Forest. The deal is set to last through 2024 but does come with a club option to purchase should he really take to Los Angeles upon his arrival. He will occupy an International Roster Slot and will be added to the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa. LAFC acquired O’Brien’s Right of First Refusal from D.C. United in exchange for $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM).
Welcome to Los Angeles, @Lewis_OBrien98 💪 pic.twitter.com/H4XF1V8Kr6
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 30, 2024
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Lewis to Los Angeles,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said in a statement. “He is a dynamic, versatile midfielder with qualities we know will complement an already strong group of midfielders and will help in our pursuit of trophies. I would also like to thank Nottingham Forest and his representative, Kevin Sharp, for their professionalism throughout the process.”
The 25-year-old England native appeared in 17 games (17 starts) on loan for D.C. United from April to July 2023, registering one goal and one assist in 1,515 minutes while establishing himself as a key player in the midfield for United. He originally signed with Nottingham on July 20, 2022, from Championship club Huddersfield Town, where he was named the Academy Player of the Year in 2017-18. O’Brien made his Nottingham Forest debut on Aug. 6, 2022, and scored his first EPL goal Sept. 16, 2022, vs. Fulham FC. O’Brien has made a total of 17 appearances across all competitions for Nottingham Forest
The creative midfielder joins a pretty stacked position group for LAFC so breaking into the starting XI will be tough right away, but he will be a great addition as depth as the team continue to fight schedule congestion and other competitions like US Open Cup and Leagues Cup currently. Should he settle in well and fast, we could see him in a lot more competitions in the coming season after a more permanent move is made, but we will have to wait and see on that.
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