Luca de la Torre transfer news was announced Thursday night and the 24-year-old is set to make a $2 million transfer to LaLiga club Celta Vigo. Spanish news outlet Marca first reported the American’s move and the club confirmed it on Friday.
¡Talento estadounidense en Vigo! @delatorreluca, internacional con @ussoccer, será celeste hasta 2026. ¡Bienvenido, Luca! #BenvidoLuca #FagamosHistoria
— RC Celta (@RCCelta) July 8, 2022
This is a major transfer for De la Torre’s career and a chance to further prove why he deserves a ticket on the USMNT’s flight to Qatar. He will be leaving his Dutch club Heracles, which was relegated from the Netherlands’ top flight last season.
Whoever negotiated De la Torre’s contract with Heracles deserves a massive pat on the back. Despite him signing a three-year contract, he had an agreement with the Dutch club that he would be transferred after his second year. Nobody knew at the time that Heracles would be relegated after De la Torre’s second year so it’s safe to say he dodged a bullet.
— RC Celta (@RCCelta) July 8, 2022
The raw stats don’t quite reflect what he can bring to the field. In his two seasons with Heracles, he made 64 appearances, scored two goals and had five assists.
The midfield maestro has said himself that he’s a player who wants the ball at his feet and to dictate the game. He’s not the guy who will be taking on defenders and scoring; he’s there to string together the passes that will create opportunities.
Luca de la Torre on his move from the wing to the midfield. Sounding a little like Cruyff himself. Full interview below. https://t.co/FEmmIESCNQ pic.twitter.com/TuQ4HZ5nSt
— scuffed (@scuffedpod) January 20, 2022
How he integrates with Celta Vigo and adapts to LaLiga will be interesting to see. His quick movements and passing seem like it should mesh well with the Spanish league.
De la Torre joins a Celta Vigo side that is coming off a quality season finishing 11th in the league. After narrowly avoiding relegation in the 2019-20 season the club has responded with two solid campaigns.
He won’t be the only man from Concacaf in the midfield for Celta Vigo. Mexican international Orbelín Pineda joined the club in January 2022 from Cruz Azul. Pineda made seven LaLiga appearances.
USMNT fans will be eager to see what De la Torre does with Celta Vigo. They will be hoping he doesn’t become the next Matthew Hoppe, who transferred to Mallorca last season to only play 169 minutes all campaign during seven appearances.
With moves like this De la Torre should be just fine.
Luca de la Torre Highlights
Luca de la Torre - An Escape Artist pic.twitter.com/Wg61qSLRK1
— jerbsz (@jerbszB) March 19, 2022
Luca de la Torre vs Morocco (6/1/22)
all involvements pic.twitter.com/dXS9Fps9Ix— Justin Moran (@kickswish) June 2, 2022
Luca de la Torre WCQ vs Panama pic.twitter.com/snA2A1nQTT
— Kranks (@dis_possessed) March 28, 2022
