This Tuesday, December 9, San Diego FC announced plenty of roster moves to end the 2025 season.

SDFC had a magnificent inaugural MLS campaign, making the Western Conference Final against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

San Diego exercised contract options for Pablo Sisniega, veteran midfielder Anibal Godoy, and Ian Pilcher. Sisniega was battling for that starting goalkeeper spot all year long and ended up playing in some vital playoff games due to an injury to CJ dos Santos.

Sisniega proved to be inconsistent at times, but also really proved his worth in this final playoff stretch. Godoy was a consistent starter all year long and one of the most crucial components of Mikey Varas’ team.

Onni will keep writing our story…

The Club exercised a permanent transfer option to acquire midfielder Onni Valakari from Pafos FC

📝: https://t.co/lo3NibyNXj pic.twitter.com/NxCeJ1ia8G

— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) December 9, 2025

Pilcher had an impressive rookie season, really settling in at that right-back slot for Mikey Varas.

SDFC also exercised a permanent transfer option for Onni Valakari from Cyprian club Pafos FC through 2028 with an option through 2029. Valakari proved to be a vital component of this San Diego offense with five goals scored and eight assists in 39 games played.

The Finnish player played all over the midfield, even as a false nine forward in certain games. Valakari’s best spot was clearly in the midfield, where he was able to generate scoring play and weave into the box for scoring opportunities.

Valakari scored the historic first goal at Snapdragon Stadium for SDFC against the Columbus Crew on March 15. San Diego also exercised the permanent trade option for David Vazquez from Philadelphia, who will receive $250,000 for him.

Amahl Pellgrino was also signed to a new contract through 2026 with club options for 2027 and 2028. The veteran forward really came alive towards the end of the season, with six goals scored and three assists in his last seven games of the season.

Three of those goals came in the playoffs as the Norwegian winger was favored over Hirving Lozano in the postseason.

SDFC has also lost some players as it decided to decline options for Luca de la Torre and Franco Negri. Both players started the season as starters and ended up being more rotation players towards the end of the year. de la Torre will return to Celta de Vigo in Spain, and it will be interesting to see if he remains there for the rest of the season before the FIFA World Cup.

San Diego is inclusively in talks to retain Aiden Harangi, Emmanuel Boateng and Corey Baird. SDFC will need to work out a deal with German giants Eintracht Frankfurt for Harangi.

SDFC secured some valuable players, and its biggest loss is de la Torre, who certainly began as a fan favorite. There are still several months before the start of the new season, and more roster moves will come.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 28, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.