Mexican star Hirving Lozano has joined the LA Galaxy on loan for the remainder of the 2026 Major League Soccer season after spending eight months out of San Diego FC’s lineup. The 31-year-old winger, who was the most prominent face of San Diego’s debut 2025 campaign, has not played since November. Lozano was dropped from two matchday squads late last year for disciplinary reasons. A source told ESPN that he and head coach Mikey Varas had an intense locker-room confrontation that escalated into a shouting match in October 2025. Lozano later returned for the playoffs, but sporting director Tyler Heaps said in January that he was not part of San Diego’s sporting plans for this season. Lozano has since trained alone at the club’s facilities while receiving offers from teams in MLS and abroad. A no-trade clause in his contract gave him the power to reject any proposed move. His lack of playing time also preceded his omission from Mexico’s squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup. San Diego paid Lozano $5.83 million through July this season while he trained by himself. The MLS Players Association lists his salary at $9.33 million, making him the league’s fourth-highest-paid player. Multiple sources said his total compensation is closer to $10 million when marketing agreements and a loyalty bonus are included. The Galaxy renewed their pursuit after learning that Riqui Puig would miss the entire 2026 season, opening a Designated Player slot. General manager Will Kuntz said the Galaxy will cover $2 million of Lozano’s remaining salary this year. The structure also gave the club enough flexibility to bring in Kyogo Furuhashi and Sergi Roberto. The Galaxy remain in the playoff race, sitting three teams and two points behind the Seattle Sounders, who hold the Western Conference’s final postseason place. Lozano said he is working hard and following a club-designed program to regain his fitness. Kuntz described him as sharp but said he still needs more high-intensity sprint work before he can contribute consistently on the wing. Kuntz called Lozano a perfect football fit and said the Galaxy consulted sporting directors, coaches, players and analysts who had previously worked with him. He compared Lozano’s competitive intensity to former baseball player Gary Sheffield and expressed confidence that the winger would fit into the Galaxy locker room. Lozano’s return leaves Somali football supporters with a clear question: can a player of his established ability quickly help the Galaxy’s playoff push after nine months without a match?