The San Diego FC announced Friday morning that it would be parting ways with star forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. Sporting director Tyler Heaps made the announcement at the club’s Signal Hills headquarters. “We have communicated with Hirving and his representatives that he will not be part of the sporting plans moving forward,” Heaps said. “That was not a decision that was taken lightly. That was something that was well talked through from owners down to leadership down to myself and [head coach] Mikey [Varas], and has been communicated with the rest of the group. So we’re working with him and his representatives to find the best solution and the best environment for him moving forward.” NBC 7 has been told Lozano is with the club as it prepares for the 2026 season and will remain in San Diego, working out, while the San Diego FC attempts to either loan him out or trade him to another club. Lozano made $7,633,333 last season, ranking fifth among all players in MLS and complicating a potential transfer. Later in the morning, Varas commented about losing his star player. “Our focus is always on the collective,” Varas said, “and it’s about pushing the team chemistry this year, and, listen: We’ve played plenty of games with the team without him in the roster, and that team played very, very well.” Lozano scored in the second half of his last game for SDFC, but it was far too little, too late in their playoff loss to Vancouver, ending what was, inarguably, the greatest year an MLS expansion team has ever had. In early October, head Varas subbed Lozano out at halftime against the Houston Dynamo. That later reportedly led to a locker room altercation. In their final regular-season game against Portland, Lozano did not travel with the team, nor did he suit up for the team’s first home playoff game. “There’s no one moment that you can pinpoint,” Heaps said when asked whether the locker room altercation affected the club’s decision. “It was more a wholly collective decision that we made on behalf of the group. We’re looking at not only short-term success, but also long-term how this club is built for the future.” The San Diego FC begins its season next month. Lozano was the San Diego FC’s first designated player. Major League Soccer reserves that designation for high-priced stars whose lofty salaries do not count against the club’s salary cap. “It’s an honor to join San Diego FC as the Club’s first Designated Player,” said Lozano when the club signed him. “It’s exciting to be part of history as we build a Club that will compete for championships in MLS. In every country I have played, I always strive to leave a mark, and making an impact in San Diego and MLS is very important to me … I am beyond excited and look forward to finishing the year strong with PSV Eindhoven and joining San Diego FC at the start of 2025.” The 29-year-old is perhaps most well known for his goal against Germany in Mexico’s victory over the defending World Cup Champion in the 2018 World Cup. Lozano’s club career began in Liga MX with Pachuca. In 149 matches Lozano netted 43 goals and 31 assists. In 2017, he went overseas, joining PSV. His first season included 17 goals and 11 assists in 29 appearances. Lozano helped them take the Eredivisie title in 2018. He also helped them lift the Dutch league crown in May. In 112 games with PSV, Chucky had 46 goals and 26 helpers. Lozano also spent time in Italy playing for Napoli, where he claimed the Serie A championship in 2023. While with Napoli, he recorded 30 goals and 17 assists in 155 matches. The Associated Press contributed to this report — Ed. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less