LAFC signed defender Mohamed Traore from the Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy (SIMA) on Monday, the MLS franchise announced. LAFC used the top spot in the MLS Waive Order in order to acquire the 18-year-old. 

Traore joined Monteverde at 14 years old. He was a standout on the team in 2019 with seven assists. He was called up to the Senegal U17 Men’s National Team in 2019. 

Mohamed Traore is Black & Gold.

📰 https://t.co/2OFTt6l5xT pic.twitter.com/Y4KwFjcuRm

— LAFC (@LAFC) August 17, 2020

“Mohamed is an exciting, young player with a lot of potential,” LAFC EVP of Soccer Operations & General Manager John Thorrington said in a release. “We believe getting him in our environment will help him continue to grow and develop and prepare him for success at this level.”

Traore was previously committed to UCF after giving his verbal commitment to the Florida program in the spring. TopDrawerSoccer’s Sheldon Shealer discribed Traore as a smooth left-footed center back.