LA Galaxy Land Jakob Glesnes, Homegrown Priority for Jamir Johnson in Up-to-$1.1M GAM Trade

Deal terms and club context

The LA Galaxy have signed center back Jakob Glesnes and secured Homegrown priority rights on prospect Jamir Johnson from the Philadelphia Union in a deal that could be worth up to $1.1 million in General Allocation Money. The guaranteed money is deferred over future seasons, based on bonuses for Johnson’s performance, and Philadelphia maintains a sell-on percentage of Johnson. Glesnes, 31, who is under contract through 2027 with a club option for 2028, will bring experience, leadership and organization in defense to Galaxy’s back line. The club sees him as a known commodity MLS defender and locker room figure, and will bring him in come January, as Galaxy brace for the 2026 slate and another trophy quest.
 

Player profile and expected impact

Jakob Glesnes departs Philadelphia after six sturdy seasons as one of M.L.S.’s more reliable center backs. (Rogers was named 2022 MLS Defender of the Year and twice earned Best XI honors, while appearing on three All-Star teams.) In 2025, he logged heavy minutes, started in nearly every game and helped anchor a defense that gave up the fewest goals in the league (14 clean sheets). Throughout his MLS career, Glesnes has been a regular with more than 180 appearances to his name and weighing in with goals and assists from defense. Standing 6-foot-2, he provides the Galaxy with an additional big body, durability and aerial presence not to mention a calming figure who can distribute out of the back to address key areas of need for the organization with leadership and defensive stability on par with his every-game level of play in central defense.