Hirving Lozano to leave San Diego after club acknowledges verbal altercation

Goal reports San Diego FC have confirmed that Hirving "Chucky" Lozano will leave the club on Friday after the team acknowledged he was involved in a "verbal altercation" that saw him removed from the starting XI for the entirety of the club’s playoff run. Sporting director Tyler Heaps told reporters the club had discussed the situation with Lozano and his representatives and that "we communicated that he will not be part of our sporting plan moving forward.

This wasn’t a decision taken lightly." Lozano started regularly in San Diego’s debut season, delivered goals and assists (17 goal contributions by Oct. 4), was named an MLS All-Star and produced three goal contributions across four playoff games, but the club says he is no longer central to its plans.

San Diego paid $12 million to PSV for the signing and Lozano was among the highest earners in MLS, at $7.6m; he remains in training while the club seeks a way to move him on. Heaps said "we believe that a sale is the best for all parties" and that the club is "open to anything," but the article notes San Diego face constraints: Lozano is under contract until 2028 with a club option for two more years, MLS clubs are unlikely to match his salary, and a profitable sale seems unlikely.

Key Topics

Sports, Hirving Lozano, San Diego Fc, Tyler Heaps, Designated Player, Psv