Nashville SC said goodbye to one of its most promising young players on the eve of the 2026 season.
CD Guadalajara has acquired midfielder Jonathan Perez, the club announced on Feb. 10. Guadalajara, which plays in Mexico’s Liga MX, purchased Perez from Nashville for $3 million, which is the most money Nashville has ever received for the sale of a player.
The $3 million transfer fee is twice as much as what Nashville paid to purchase Perez from the LA Galaxy last August.
Perez, 23, departs Nashville after appearing in 32 games (15 starts) across all competitions over one and a half seasons. He joined NSC on loan from the LA Galaxy in July 2024, and Nashville acquired him permanently last August. Playing mostly as a winger, Perez had one goal and two assists in 22 MLS appearances in 2025 to help Nashville reach the playoffs and was an important part of the club’s run to its first-ever championship trophy in the U.S. Open Cup.
Perez was born in the United States, but has represented Mexico at the youth level, as both of his parents are Mexican.
While Perez impressed with his quickness and creativity on the wing, Nashville signed free agent Cristian Espinoza in January as its third designated player. The acquisition of Espinoza figured to limited opportunities for Perez, especially with veteran Alex Muyl seemingly entrenched on the left side and talented 22-year-old Ahmed Qasem also vying for playing time.
“Jonny is an outstanding young man, and we wish him the very best of luck in this new opportunity,” said Nashville SC president of soccer operations and general manager Mike Jacobs. “Developing young talent as well as selling players on are both important for our evolution as a club and the trademark of any successful club around the world, and this is an important step that helps demonstrate Nashville SC’s ambition on a global stage.”
Chivas finished sixth in the Apertura, the first half of the Liga MX season, last fall and currently sits in first place in the Clausura, the second half, with five wins in its first five matches.
Nashville begins its season against Atletico Ottawa in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Feb. 17 before opening MLS play at home against the New England Revolution on Feb. 21.
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CD Guadalajara purchases Nashville SC winger Jonathan Perez
