The Los Angeles Galaxy announced today that free agency defender John Nelson has signed a two-year contract extension until the end of the 2025 MLS season, with a club option for 2026.

Nelson, 25, has four assists in 71 MLS games (46 starts) over five seasons with FC Dallas (2019-21), FC Cincinnati (2022), and St. Louis CITY SC (2023). Nelson has one assist and played 1,268 minutes in 17 league appearances (14 starts) for St. Louis CITY SC last season, helping the expansion team finish with the best regular season record in the Western Conference.

“John is an established defender with strong MLS experience for his age,” LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz remarked. “He will add depth and a veteran presence to our back line and we look forward to bringing him into our group.”

The Medina, Ohio, native spent the 2022 season with FC Cincinnati, recording two assists in 24 regular-season appearances (14 starts). Nelson went on to record one assist in 30 career regular-season appearances (18 starts) for FC Dallas after being taken with the 10th overall choice in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft from the University of North Carolina. Nelson also made two starts for FC Dallas in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Transaction: On December 21, 2023, the Los Angeles Galaxy signed defender John Nelson to a two-year contract extension until the end of the 2025 MLS season, with a club option for 2026.