Chivas is ready to sign North Carolina FC defender Adrián Pelayo, a source told ESPN.
The deal for the 18-year-old player is almost closed and the procedures will be finalized in the coming days.
Pelayo joins the Liga MX powerhouse from the USL Championship, playing with North Carolina FC since arriving as a free agent in 2023.
The defender was previously part of the Portland Timbers academy, working with the MLS first team during training camp ahead of the 2023 MLS season and the Timbers 2 MLS Next Pro team.
At the international level, Pelayo stands as a figure of triple nationality with eligibility to represent the United States, Argentina and Mexico. He has appeared in American and Mexican youth camps, but recently represented the Tricolor at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November 2023.
The defender started the game against Germany, along with Luis Navarrete, Javen Romero and José Suárez at the back.
Pelayo will become the latest multinational figure to represent Chivas, following in the footsteps of Mexican-American Cade Cowell.
The player will initially work with CD Tapatío affiliate of Chivas de Guadalajara in the Expansion League before joining the senior team.
