SSFC Spotlight: Luca Bombino makes the most of his loan opportunity

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With Major League Soccer and the majority of European competitions operating on separate schedules (for now), the transfer priorities are on vastly different timelines, which can create issues for players attempting to move. While domestic clubs understandably want to hold onto their talents throughout the season and pursue the best possible finish, certain opportunities could potentially be one-time chances and never come again. Luca Bombino was being pursued by foreign sides in the midst of a breakout campaign, with the 19-year-old San Diego FC fullback garnering attention for his flashy play.

Born in Saugus, California, Bombino played with FC Valencia and joined the Los Angeles FC academy in 2017, swiftly rising through the ranks, ranked as a four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, and committing to eventually attend the University of California, Los Angeles. He began appearing with the reserve team in MLS Next Pro in 2023, making 17 appearances and registering assists against St. Louis 2 and Portland Timbers 2. The following campaign consisted of another 15 matches and two more helpers, this time against Minnesota United 2 and Ventura County FC.

“Luca was always one of our most consistent players,” said former LAFC Academy Director Todd Saldaña. “In terms of him being a leader, I think it initially started just by example. You could see great signs at a young age… He had good competition within our academy, but then eventually just outshined all the others. [He] wasn’t a guy that was getting national team attention at the beginning, and then, having stayed the course, now the national team is calling him in regularly.”

Several times last year, Bombino received call-ups to the first team and was an unused substitute. In September, LAFC signed him to an MLS contract through 2025 with options for 2026 and 2027. However, his senior debut would wait and occur in a different jersey, as the pathway at the club “wasn’t super clear.”

In February, Bombino joined expansion side San Diego FC on loan (with a purchase option), described as “a talented young player with a bright future” and became a “rock-solid contributor” with “calmness on the ball and [the] tendency to pick the right pass.” He made his debut with a 17-minute substitute appearance in a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake before assuming a starting role despite dealing with a leg injury, earning praise as “one of the best fullbacks in MLS,” and being named to the Team of the Matchday for Matchday 24. In addition to three assists, his first senior goal came from a splendid volley in a 4-3 defeat to the Houston Dynamo, followed by a headed finish in a 3-2 loss against Liga MX side Pachuca in the Leagues Cup. His breakout season concluded in the Western Conference Final with 33 matches across all competitions, as the CIES Football Observatory listed him as one of the “Best non-big-5 league players born in 2006 or later.”

As expected, San Diego triggered the purchase option on his contract, and there has already been an entreaty from Europe. EFL Championship side West Bromwich Albion saw a transfer attempt rejected due to “the offer [being] below valuation and more will come as [Bombino] continues impressing.” AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands has “already looked for him in the past,” with further advances from other sides to “come in the next 12 months.”

Despite the rumored interest, Bombino gave a professional answer when questioned about the future. “I think every young player has aspirations at that top level,” he expressed recently. “For me, though, I’m focused on January, getting my mind, my body right to perform at the highest level for San Diego in the preseason and the first couple games in February… Coming into this year, I was a guy with only some MLS NEXT Pro experience. I was in first team environments, but strictly training. Coming into this year, I wasn’t expecting much in terms of playing time. We’ve seen how quickly that changed.”

At the international level, Bombino is eligible for Italy and the United States and has gradually worked his way into the latter program, competing with the Under-17 and Under-19 sides and named as an alternate for the U-17 World Cup. Bombino competed at last year’s CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, starting in five matches as the team finished in second place with a 2-1 extra-time loss to Mexico in the final and qualified for the 2025 U-20 World Cup. At the tournament, the manager called his name twice, both times coming in the group stage against New Caledonia and South Africa.

Standing at five feet, nine inches tall and praised for his “football intelligence and unceasing desire to win,” Bombino is an attack-minded fullback who takes a highly involved role in the build-up, ghosts into the box, and registers his fair share of tackles, interceptions, and successful aerial duels. He is praised for his “tough and hardworking” nature and “getting the job done” despite not being “the most dynamic player,” displaying a “technically gifted, self-confident, and ball-playing” style. San Diego sporting director Jay Heaps notes his ability to “solve situations under pressure,” while U.S. Soccer Collective points to his “comfort in combination play, ability to deliver quality crosses, and composure on the ball.”

“[The] best thing I’ve learned so far is definitely ‘consistency is key,’” Bombino shared with local media. “[The key is] if you can keep your mind switched on for preparing for the best but also preparing for ‘What if?’ For me as a fullback, I know that I always have to be on the front foot, ready to make a run in behind if the team needs me or to be on the back foot and ready to go the other way if there’s a counter-attack. So, just staying switched on is very important… I think pride is a key value of defending. As a fullback or a centre-back, your job is to make sure that the attackers have unlimited freedom to go forward and if they make a mistake, ‘No worries, we have your back.’”

Bombino enjoyed a strong year in MLS, benefitting from the sort of intra-competition loan that had previously been unavailable. As expected for a young player who is getting a significant run and performing, he is attracting overseas attention, which should only grow as his development proceeds in an upward direction. His national team future should similarly continue to progress; however, fullback is increasingly becoming a position of strength for the USMNT, with multiple talents challenging for a limited number of spots.

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