LOS ANGELES – The LA Galaxy II announced on Tuesday they had signed LA Galaxy Academy and U.S. Youth National Team defender Mauricio Cuevas, pending league and federation approval. The 16-year-old Cuevas signs his first professional contract with the club.

“Mauricio is a talented young Academy defender and we are excited for him begin his professional career in our organization,”said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. “The LA Galaxy Academy is a very important piece of our club structure and we are committed to providing our young players with professional opportunities when they are ready. We are enthusiastic about Mauricio’s future within our club.”

Since joining the Galaxy Academy in 2016, Cuevas has made 60 appearances. The Los Angeles native started in 49 of those matches, tallying three goals in U.S. Soccer Development Academy play. Cuevas also took part in the recent Generation adidas Cup with the LA Galaxy Academy U-17 squad, helping the team reach the quarterfinals.

More recently Cuevas was selected to the United States U-17 National Team that will kick off its campaign in the Concacaf U-17 Championship on Thursday at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.