The San Jose Earthquakes have acquired striker Preston Judd from the Los Angeles Galaxy in return for $200,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) that will be split evenly over the next two seasons. In 2025 GAM, LA may get up to an extra $50,000 in performance-based bonuses.

The move, announced on Thursday, provides Judd with a change of scenery after injuries forced him to play a larger-than-expected part in 2023. He finished with 3 goals and 2 assists in 17 games (six starts).

“Preston is a physical and energetic young forward with the ability to finish,” Earthquakes general manager Chris Leitch said in a release. “He has worked hard over the years to earn his place in Major League Soccer and will be an asset to our front line.”

“We would like to thank Preston for being a consummate professional and excelling in front of goal from the day he was selected in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft,” LA general manager Will Kuntz said in a release.

“Goal scorers will always be in demand in this game and Preston’s 33 goals in 75 games [at all levels] with our club meant it was only a matter of time before another team came to write the next chapter in his journey. We wish him all the best in this next step in his career.”

Judd, 24, provides depth at striker for San Jose behind Jeremy Ebobisse (first-choice option). Meanwhile, Los Angeles only has Dejan Jovelji as a natural striker and are anticipated to sign multiple No. 9 players this offseason (perhaps with their available Designated Player berth).

San Jose, a No. 9 seed in the Western Conference Wild Card, is in his second season as head coach Luchi Gonzalez. After an injury-plagued year, LA missed the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.