Nashville SC transfers Jonathan Perez to CD Guadalajara for club-record fee

Midfielder Perez joins Mexican club Chivas for $3 million, the highest transfer fee ever received by Nashville SC.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Nashville SC has sold midfielder Jonathan Perez to CD Guadalajara, a Mexican club in Liga MX, for a club-record transfer fee of $3 million. Perez, 23, had been with Nashville SC for one and a half seasons after joining on loan from the LA Galaxy in 2024 and being acquired permanently last August. He made 32 appearances for Nashville, scoring one goal and adding two assists to help the club reach the playoffs and win the U.S. Open Cup in 2025.

Why it matters

The $3 million transfer fee is the highest amount of money Nashville SC has ever received for the sale of a player, demonstrating the club's ability to develop young talent and profit from their sales on the global market. Perez's departure also clears the way for Nashville to feature new designated player signing Cristian Espinoza more prominently in their lineup.

The details

Perez, who was born in the U.S. but has represented Mexico at the youth level, made 22 MLS appearances for Nashville in 2025, scoring one goal and adding two assists. However, with the addition of Espinoza and the continued presence of veteran Alex Muyl and young Ahmed Qasem, Perez's playing time was likely to be limited going forward. Nashville SC president Mike Jacobs said the transfer is an important step in the club's evolution and demonstrates its ambition on the global stage.

  • Perez joined Nashville SC on loan from the LA Galaxy in July 2024.
  • Nashville acquired Perez permanently in August 2025.
  • Perez made 32 appearances across all competitions for Nashville over one and a half seasons.
  • Nashville SC sold Perez to CD Guadalajara on February 10, 2026.

The players

Jonathan Perez

A 23-year-old midfielder who spent one and a half seasons with Nashville SC after joining on loan from the LA Galaxy.

Mike Jacobs

The president of soccer operations and general manager for Nashville SC.

Cristian Espinoza

A new designated player signed by Nashville SC in January 2026.

Alex Muyl

A veteran player who has been a regular starter on the left side for Nashville SC.

Ahmed Qasem

A 22-year-old player who has been vying for playing time on the wing for Nashville SC.

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What they’re saying

“Jonny is an outstanding young man, and we wish him the very best of luck in this new opportunity. 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.”

— Mike Jacobs, President of soccer operations and general manager, Nashville SC (The Tennessean)

What’s next

Nashville SC begins its season against Atletico Ottawa in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on February 17 before opening MLS play at home against the New England Revolution on February 21.

The takeaway

This transfer demonstrates Nashville SC's ability to develop young talent and profit from their sales, which is an important part of the club's evolution and ambition to compete on the global stage. The departure of Perez also clears the way for new designated player Cristian Espinoza to feature more prominently in Nashville's lineup.