The Los Angeles Football Club announced the re-signing of Brazilian defender Marlon Santos on Tuesday.
Originally signed through 2024 with a club option until June 2025, Marlon’s new agreement adds a club option for the remainder of 2025 and the 2026 season.
Santos, 29, joined LAFC as a free agent signing in September, making eight appearances in all competitions.
“In a short period of time last year, he had a positive impact for us as a great teammate and player and brought a strong, composed presence to our back line,” LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said in a statement. “We look forward to Marlon’s increased involvement and believe he will become a top center back in the league.”
Santos’ most memorable contribution last season came on the offensive end when he scored the second goal of his career to give LAFC the tiebreaking margin it needed on Decision Day to surpass the Galaxy and win the Western Conference.
“I think LAFC has one of the best structures from all the teams I’ve been on,” Santos said following his first month with the club. “It’s definitely among the best structures that I’ve seen. Also, I can see that the people do their work and there’s a lot of attention to detail, so it’s almost clinical, and they all work in a free manner. I can see that off the bat.”
The sturdy defender joined LAFC after a year on loan with his boyhood Brazilian club Fluminense, which won its first Copa Libertadores and appeared in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup while he was on the roster.
Santos nearly signed with Al Ain in Abu Dhabi before agreeing to come to Los Angeles last summer.
“I had always talked to my wife about coming to the U.S. and Los Angeles,” he said. “It so happens I’m a big believer in the plans of God. When I’m sitting out for a bit the opportunity for LAFC comes by and considering that I had already expressed to my wife that I’d love to come here one day I think it was all part of the plan.”
Marlon debuted with Fluminense in 2014 at 18 years old and was loaned to FC Barcelona two years later. Thus began his European experience, including stints in France’s Ligue 1 and Italy’s Serie A along with 18 UEFA Champions League appearances.
“It is the career of a footballer,” Santos said. “And it is a flavorful and colorful experience that you get to taste different cultures, which brings many good and positive moments. I feel it’s all part of the footballer experience.”
Santos compared MLS favorably to the French league, with its physical play, quick transitions and player quality.
“Overall I’m very happy to be a part of this league at this point in time,” he said.
The Brazilian reunites with a stout group of central defenders, including American Aaron Long, who re-signed as a free agent, and Maxime Chanot.
“He gives us real quality in buildup play and figuring out how to play out of pressure,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, addressing Marlon’s presence, said during the season. “He’s a tenacious defender as well. He can play the middle position but also the right and left position in a three center back formation. So he’s quite versatile and very experienced. He’s seen a high level already in his career, so we’re very comfortable in all those positions.”
LAFC remains open to retaining center back Jesus Murillo, although the Colombian free agent has been linked to Liga MX side FC Juárez.