San Diego FC Working on Hirving “Chucky” Lozano’s Exit After One Season
San Diego FC has announced that they are working on the exit of Mexico star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano after just one season with the MLS club. According to San Diego sporting director Tyler Heaps, the decision was made after careful consideration and communication with Lozano and his representatives.
“We have communicated with Hirving and his representatives that he will not be part of the sporting plans moving forward,” Heaps told reporters. “That was not a decision that was taken lightly. That was something that was well talked through from owners down to leadership down to myself and [coach Mikey Varas], and has been communicated with the rest of the group.”
Background on Lozano’s Time with San Diego FC
Signed as the expansion team’s first-ever designated player ahead of the 2025 season, Lozano joined San Diego from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on a four-year contract through the end of 2028 with two option years. The winger was the fifth-highest earner in MLS last year, with guaranteed compensation of $7.6 million, making any transfer potentially difficult.
Future Plans for Lozano
According to Heaps, the club is open to any solution, whether it’s a permanent transfer or a loan, to find the best environment for Lozano. “We believe that a sale is the best for all parties. Look, we really appreciate Hirving’s contributions, what he was able to contribute last year, but as the season went on, I think from a style-of-play fit, as well as an environment, we think that it’s best for both parties to find a new solution.”
The exit of Lozano would close out a disappointing end to his short tenure that showed signs of tension between the player and management last fall. Ahead of San Diego’s first playoff appearance in October, he was dropped from the team’s gameday roster for two matches following reports of a verbal altercation in the locker room.
Lozano apologized on social media and returned to the gameday roster during the playoffs, but was left out of the starting XI in the last three postseason matches for the MLS Western Conference finalists. In his first year in MLS, Lozano has nine goals and 10 assists across 27 appearances.
Implications for Lozano’s World Cup Preparations
The uncertainty at club level is a potential disruption to Lozano’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with Mexico’s opening game against South Africa in Mexico City just five months away. Currently a rotational starter for Mexico, Lozano will need to hit the ground running at a new club to chase not only a place in the XI for this summer’s tournament but also possibly a place in the roster altogether.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen where Lozano will end up next and how this move will impact his chances of representing Mexico in the World Cup. One thing is certain, however: Lozano’s exit from San Diego FC marks the end of an era for the MLS club, and the beginning of a new chapter for the talented winger.
