LAFC announced today that the Club has re-signed center backs Danilo Silva and Dejan Jaković to new contracts.
“Re-signing Danilo and Dejan was always part of our offseason plan, and we’re excited that both players will be returning in 2019,” said General Manager and EVP of Soccer Operations John Thorrington. “Danilo and Dejan add veteran leadership and experience to the group, and we’re confident they will both contribute to the success of our Club.”
Silva, who initially joined LAFC on a six-month loan during the summer transfer window, logged 722 minutes in 10 regular season matches (nine starts) in 2018. The Brazilian defender tallied his only goal of the year during the Club’s 3-2 loss against Real Salt Lake in the Knockout Round of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Prior to LAFC, Silva spent two seasons with Internacional in Brazil’s top flight, appearing in 19 matches before arriving in MLS. From 2010-17, Silva played in 222 contests across all competitions for Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev.
Jaković, 33, re-signs with the Black & Gold after appearing in 15 regular season matches (13 starts), as well as a pair of U.S. Open Cup contests in 2018. The Canadian international reached 100 MLS appearances in the 5-1 win over Real Salt Lake on March 10, and 100 starts in the 2-1 loss at Portland on May 19.
Before arriving in Los Angeles, Jaković spent time with the New York Cosmos of the NASL (2017), Shimizu S-Pulse of the Japanese first division (2014-16), D.C. United (2009-13), and Serbian side Red Star Belgrade (2008).
Internationally, the 6-foot-2 center back has represented the Canadian National Team on 41 occasions, including appearances at the 2009, 2015 and 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cups.
TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) re-signs defenders Danilo Silva and Dejan Jaković.
