The Mexican striker is not part of San Diego FC’s plans, but his signing means a great investment for interested clubs.
The adventure of Hirving Lozano in San Diego FC It barely lasted a year. The club reported that the Mexican forward does not enter into plans for the 2026 season of the MLS and, from now on, Chucky He is available in the transfer market to strengthen any club.
It’s been almost nine years since Lozano He played his last game in the Liga MXdefending the Pachuca shirt. By then, some Mexican clubs were showing interest in a transfer, but the Tuzos board was convinced of selling the forward to a European club.
Now the possibility of the return of Hirving Lozano to the Liga MX is open, although a possible transfer fee and the player’s high salary could be obstacles for a Mexican team interested in the services of Chucky.
Chucky Lozano, the highest paid Mexican in the history of the MLS
Hirving Lozano signed the best contract for a Mexican soccer player in the MLS. San Diego FC offered him an agreement for four years and a base salary of six million dollars annually, but that could reach 7.6 million dollars for bonuses and compensation, according to data from the Football Players Association of the MLS.
In the last season, Chucky He was the fifth highest-paid soccer player in the United States, only behind Lionel Messi (12 million base/20.4 million guaranteed compensation); Heung-Min Son (10.3/11.1 million); Sergio Busquets (8.4/8.7 million) and Miguel Almirón (6/7.8 million). Lozano surpassed Carlos Vela’s contracts (6.3 million per year); Javier Hernández (6/7.4 million); Héctor Herrera (4.7/5.2 million) as the highest paid Mexicans in the MLS.
Therefore, any club in the Liga MX to look for the signing of Chucky must match the millionaire salary he signed with San Diego FCor that the club absorbs a part, even that the player himself accepts a decrease in income.
Will San Diego give up its first franchise player?
Hirving Lozano It was the first signing of San Diego FC for his debut in MLS. In June 2024, he agreed to transfer from PSV Eindhoven for $14 million and make him their first franchise player.
The club acquired a 29-year-old footballer, with experience in European football, a World Cup winner and Serie A champion with Napoli. The sports project would be built around the Mexican soccer player; but just one season later, San Diego announced that they will seek to give way to Hirving.
“We have communicated to Hirving and its representatives that does not enter into the sporting plans for the future. It is not a decision that was made lightly. It was spoken by the owners, the leaders, Mikey and yours truly, and it has been communicated to the rest of the team. We are working with him and his people to find the best solution and environment for him in the future,” Tyler Heaps, sports director, announced in a conference.
Sale, loan and termination, Chucky’s options
When Chucky Lozano signed contract with San Diego FC for four years, until December 2028, with the option of an extension for two more years, it was envisioned that the forward would end his time as a soccer player in the MLS.
Tyler Heaps, sports director of San Diego FCsaid that the ideal would be the sale of the footballer, although a transfer of a player with a three-year contract, a million-dollar salary and for whom they paid 14 million dollars, does not look easy at all.
“We believe that a sale is best for both parties,” said the manager.
A loan would mean that Chucky would remain linked to San Diego FCwith the option that the interested club pay for the operation and cover some percentage or all of the salary.
The termination of the contract would terminate all ties between Lozano y San Diego FCthrough an economic agreement that terminates the contract early. So, Hirving He would be free to negotiate his signing with the club of his choice.
Who in Liga MX will be able to pay Chucky’s salary?
Liga MX is still far from better footballer contracts in the MLS. For example: Lionel Messi has guaranteed compensation of up to $20 million.
Reports from specialized media indicate that the highest paid soccer players in Mexico barely reach five million dollars annually. Among the players who have the best contracts are Sergio Canales, Sergio Ramos, James Rodríguez, André-Pierre Gignac and Javier Hernández.
Therefore, if a club Liga MX is interested in signing Chucky LozanoIn addition to the transfer amount, the player’s salary would represent the largest contract in Mexican soccer.
