LAFC completed an exchange with Orlando City SC on Tuesday, acquiring defender Mohamed El-Munir in return for defender João Moutinho.
“Mohamed showed a great deal of potential and performed very well in his first season in MLS,” general manager John Thorrington said. “He is a dynamic, versatile player who will translate well to how we play. At 26, Mohamed is in the peak of his career and we are very pleased that we were able to finalize this deal.”
El-Munir started in 23 games and appeared in 26 last season for Orlando City, notching two assists and playing in all three of the team’s U.S. Open Cup games. He previously played for FK Partizan Belgrade in the Serbian Superliga, playing in seven matches on the way to the team’s league title in 2017. El-Munir also played in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for his home country of Libya, notching 19 matches and three goals for the national team since 2012.
As the No. 1 overall SuperDraft selection for LAFC, Moutinho started in ten games and saw action in 14 matches throughout the inaugural season for the league. He notched one goal in his time with the club, which was his first season of professional play. Moutinho previously played at the University of Akron, scoring three goals and five assists as a freshman before moving to the MLS.
“As our first-ever SuperDraft selection, João will always be part of LAFC’s history,” Thorrington said. “We are appreciative of his service to the Club in our inaugural campaign, and we wish him all the best as he begins the next chapter of his young career.”