LOS ANGELES -- In a trade with Nashville SC, LAFC has agreed to acquire forward Jacob Shaffelburg in exchange for $500,000 in General Allocation Money in 2026 and 2027. Nashville is set to retain a sell-on percentage if Shaffelburg is transferred in the future.
The 26-year-old heads to the Black and Gold after spending his previous four seasons in Nashville, totalling 107 appearances across all competitions. He delivered 14 goals and 17 assists in that span, registering a career-high four goals in 2025.
His efforts went a long way for Nashville, as the club managed to earn a franchise-record 16 victories while also capturing its first-ever trophy, taking home the 2025 U.S. Open Cup. The side was eliminated in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs by the eventual champions, Inter Miami.
"Jacob is a versatile, attack-minded player who brings incredible pace and intensity to our group," said LAFC Co-President and General Manager John Thorrington. "He has proven himself at the international level with Canada and enters an important year with big ambitions ahead, hopefully including the World Cup. Just as important, he is a person of high character, who approaches the game with humility, professionalism, and a team-first mindset."
A Kentville, Nova Scotia native, Shaffelburg made 61 appearances with Toronto FC from 2019 to 2022. During his time with the club, he helped them win the Voyagers Cup in the 2020 Canadian Championship. He was named the Best Young Canadian Player by the Canada Soccer Association in 2021.
With over half a decade of international experience, the Canadian made his international debut on January 10, 2020. Since then, Shaffelburg has made numerous appearances, including helping Canada finish third in the table at the 2021-2022 Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers. The nation would eventually qualify for Qatar 2022, snapping a 36-year drought and appearing in just its second World Cup ever.
His high pace and threat as a vertical runner fit nicely into LAFC's scheme and should give him an opportunity to help create the chaos on the counterattack which the club thrives on. It's a depth acquisition that gives new head coach Marc Dos Santos another solid speed option, as Shaffelburg will look to prove effective in a system that suits him much better than the one he played under in Nashville.