LAFC is sending Cristian Arango to Liga MX’s Pachuca

Colombia international Cristian Arango, LAFC’s top scorer for the past two seasons, is leaving MLS for Pachuca in Mexico’s Liga MX, a source close to the player confirmed on Tuesday.

LAFC did not immediately respond to calls for comment.

Arango, 27, a forward, has scored 30 goals in 51 regular-season games since joining LAFC in August 2021, the second-highest in MLS in that span. That leaves him third in the team’s all-time goalscoring chart, behind Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi. He added two more points in three playoff games last season.

Arango earned $683,000 last season, according to the MLS Players’ Association, making him the ninth-best on the team. He had asked for a raise and a contract extension to stay in Los Angeles. LAFC had reportedly turned down a $6.3 million offer for the player from Saudi club Al-Ahli.

Arango has made two appearances for the Colombia national team, most recently last Saturday when he played 45 minutes in a goalless draw against the USA at Dignity Health Sports Park.