CF Montreal adds American defender Jalen Neal in deal with LA Galaxy

FC Dallas forward Petar Musa (9) jumps for a header in front of Los Angeles Galaxy defender Jalen Neal, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Frisco, Texas. CF Montréal has acquired Neal from the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Major League Soccer club announced Monday. (AP/LM Otero/The Canadian Press)

CF Montreal has acquired American defender Jalen Neal from the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Major League Soccer club announced Monday.

Montreal sent US$650,000 in general allocation money over the next two years ($450,000 in 2025, $200,000 in 2026) and a 2025 international roster spot to the Galaxy in return.

The club said Neal signed a U22 Initiative contract, which offers a break on a player's salary cap hit, for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 seasons, with an option year in 2028.

The 21-year-old Neal played 34 games, including 28 starts, over the past two MLS seasons with the Galaxy and helped the club win the MLS Cup title last year.

Neal, who came up out of the Galaxy's academy, also played three U.S. Open Cup games and five Leagues Cup games over that span.

The defender from Lakewood, Calif., has earned six caps with the United States' senior team and played in the 2023 Gold Cup.

In 2022, he helped the U.S. win the CONCACAF under-20 championship and was named on the tournament's Best XI.

"We are very excited to welcome a promising young defender to Montreal," CF Montreal president and chief executive officer Gabriel Gervais said in a release. "Jalen fits the profile of the modern defender we wanted to add to our squad, being technically talented, quick and versatile."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2025.