FC Barcelona has reached an agreement with LA Galaxy for the transfer of Julian Araujo, who will join Barça Atlètic. With this deal, Araujo became the first Barca Residency Academy alumnus to sign a contract with FC Barcelona.
“To have one of our alumni sign [with FC Barcelona] is unbelievable and was a goal we had almost 6 years ago when we started here in Arizona,” said Barca Residency Academy Director Ged Quinn in a tweet. “Julian is an unbelievable player and even better human being… so excited for him to be living out his dreams!”
The 21-year-old right-back is a native of Lompac, California. Previously with Central Coast Condors and the Santa Barbara SC, Araujo joined Barca Residency Academy in its inaugural 2017-18 season. It was in December of 2017 when FC Barcelona got its first look at a young Araujo, when he and three other Barca Residency Academy players were invited to train at FCB’s famed youth academy – La Masia.
Araujo returned in the spring and captained Barca Residency Academy’s U17 team to a third-place finish at the 2018 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Championships where he was named to the league’s Best XI team.
In 2019, Araujo inked a professional deal with LA Galaxy where he would spend the next four years. Araujo tallied two goals and 20 assists in 108 games played (96 starts) across all competitions in four seasons with the LA Galaxy (2019-22). Araujo was a two-time MLS All-Star (2021, 2022) a two-time LA Galaxy Humanitarian of the Year (2020, 2021), and was named a finalist for the MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year in 2021.
Araujo, who holds dual nationality (American and Mexican), made his debut with the Mexican National Team on August 13, 2021 in a match against Chile. He has since made three appearances (two starts) with El Tri.
