Portugal international midfielder Andre Horta is leaving LAFC to rejoin SC Braga, where he spent the 2017-18 season on loan, multiple sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
Sources confirmed that LAFC is selling 50 percent of Horta's rights for $2.75 million, meaning LAFC will get half of any subsequent transfer fee involving Horta. The move also sees him rejoin brother Ricardo, a 24-year-old midfielder with Braga.
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Portuguese outlet Record was the first to report the news, which was later confirmed by The Athletic.
Horta, 22, was acquired by LAFC from Benfica last season for a transfer fee of around $7m and with a salary of just under $1.2m. But he never got going in Los Angeles.
In his LAFC debut, a dreadful error resulted in a late equalizer that allowed city rivals the LA Galaxy to escape with a 2-2 draw. He played sparingly thereafter, logging just over 300 minutes.
In 2019, he was slowed by injuries, and with LAFC racing to the top spot in both the Western Conference and all of MLS, he couldn't crack the lineup on a consistent basis, making just four appearances.
His departure opens up a Designated Player spot for LAFC, which could be filled when the summer transfer window opens on July 9.
After rising through Benfica's youth system, Horta began his professional career with Vitoria Setubal in 2014 before returning to Benfica in 2016. He was then loaned out to Braga the following season. All told in Portugal, Horta made 90 league and cup appearances, scoring four goals.
At international level, Horta has appeared for a variety of Portugal's youth teams, including the U19s, U21s and U23s.
