Gastón Brugman, who was the MVP of the Galaxy’s MLS Cup win over the New York Red Bulls, was traded to Nashville SC on Thursday.
The Galaxy will also send $100,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money in exchange for midfielder Sean Davis. Nashville will retain a portion of Davis’ 2025 salary budget charge.
Last season, Davis had a base salary of $910,000.
Brugman, 32, had a base salary of $1.2 million and guaranteed compensation figure of $1,409,000. The 2025 season is the last of the Uruguayan midfielder’s 3½-year deal he signed when he joined the Galaxy. The club did hold an option for 2026.
Davis, 31, made 17 appearances last season with Nashville, where he has spent the last three seasons. Davis spent 2015-2021 with the New York Red Bulls.
“To maintain a championship-caliber roster in Major League Soccer, teams are often forced to make difficult contractual decisions, and today’s trade is evidence of that” Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz said. “Gastón is a fierce competitor, an incredible teammate, and an even better person.
“He made countless contributions to the Galaxy on the field and in the locker room, during his time with the club, and none was more important than his 2024 MLS Cup MVP performance earlier this month. We wish Gastón and his family all the best in this next step in his career.”
Brugman, who joined the Galaxy late in the 2022 season, made 27 appearances last season. He stepped into the starting lineup in MLS Cup, replacing the injured Riqui Puig and helping the Galaxy to their sixth MLS Cup.
Brugman, who hadn’t appeared in the Galaxy’s starting lineup since Oct. 5 and had just three starting assignments since September, assisted on Paintsil’s opening goal in the 2-1 championship victory Dec. 7 at Dignity Health Sports Park.