Union finalize trade to send Jakob Glesnes to the Los Angeles Galaxy
The Union appear set to send the star defender to LA, a day after news broke that the team could be losing one of its top strikers.
Three days after reports surfaced that the Union received a massive offer for Tai Baribo from Eastern Conference rival D.C. United, the club is trading one of its stars to Los Angeles.
The Galaxy will send the Union up to $2.2 million in general allocation money for Jakob Glesnes, the Union announced Monday. Los Angeles will also acquire the homegrown rights to Union academy forward Jamir Johnson in the trade, which was first reported by The Athletic on Saturday.
Half of the general allocation money is guaranteed, while the other half is depends on how Glesnes performs with his new club. The Union are guaranteed $500,000 in 2026 and $600,000 in 2027. The Union did not disclose what metrics Glesnes needs to meet with the Galaxy to send up to $1.1 million in additional money to the Union. The Union will also receive a sell-on percentage for any future transactions the Galaxy make involving Johnson.
Glesnes was the cornerstone of the Union’s back line this season, pairing with breakout star Olwethu Makhanya to lead the league’s stingiest defense. The Union conceded 35 goals, fewest in MLS, on their way to winning the 2025 Supporters’ Shield. Glesnes signed a contract extension in August, guaranteeing his deal through 2027, with an option for 2028.
The Norwegian center back joined the Union from Norway’s Strømsgodset in 2020. Glesnes, 31, made 209 starts across all competitions in six seasons with the Union. He has been an MLS All-Star in each of the last three seasons and finished second in the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year vote behind Vancouver’s Tristan Blackmon.
Johnson, 17, logged two goals and an assist in 12 games this season with MLS Next Pro’s Union II. He also played alongside Union teammate Cavan Sullivan for the U.S. under-17 men’s national team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The Union have been active in the transfer market since they were knocked out of the playoffs by New York City FC in the Eastern Conference semifinals. With sporting director Ernst Tanner still on administrative leave while he’s investigated for alleged misconduct by the league, the Union have signed forward Ezekiel Alladoh for a club-record $4.5 million fee. They also are in the process of sending last season’s leading goal scorer, Baribo, to D.C. for $4 million, as reported by The Athletic on Friday.
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The Galaxy finished second-to-last in the Western Conference last season, but are only a season removed from winning the MLS Cup. Glesnes would be a key piece for a team looking to bounce back from a down year. The Union are not scheduled to face the Galaxy in the 2026 regular season.
The Union will begin their 2026 campaign with a match against Defense Force FC of Trinidad & Tobago in Concacaf Champions Cup play on Feb. 18 in Trinidad, with a return leg set for Feb. 26 in Chester. The club’s MLS season begins on Feb. 21 with a match at D.C. United. It will open its home schedule on March 1 against New York City FC.