LA Galaxy II announced the addition of Axel Picazo to the roster on Thursday. Picazo previously played for Philadelphia Union II and Philadelphia Union Academy. He made 35 appearances in the USL Championship over the past two seasons while playing with Union II.  Last season, he started 12 games for Union II and appeared in 16 games overall. 

Union recruited the teenager from Lonestar SC Academy (Austin, Texas) where he was a standout in the now defunct U.S. Soccer Development Academy. 

Picazo’s success at the youth level earned him call-ups to the U.S. U16 Boys National and U18 Men’s National Team in the past. The midfielder holds dual citizenship with the USA and Mexico. 

Fellow Union Academy alum Jeremy Rafanello also signed a USL contract on Thursday. Rafanello signed with New York Red Bulls II. He played for Penn State after leaving the academy team. Rafanello spent last season with Indy Eleven in the USL. 

Photo: Matt Ralph/Brotherlygame

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