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U.S. international Ventura Alvarado joins Necaxa from Santos Laguna

United States defender Ventura Alvarado has signed for Necaxa from Santos Laguna, with Mexican winger Jesus Isijara moving the other way.

Phoenix native Alvarado came through Club America's youth system ranks and had a previous stint with Necaxa back in 2013-14, when the club was in the second division.

"The club is grateful for the dedication and commitment shown by Ventura during his time with us, and we wish him the very best in this next stage of his professional career," read a statement from Santos Laguna.

Necaxa finished the 2017 Apertura regular season in ninth place, missing out on the playoffs on the last weekend of the season.

Alvarado has 13 caps for the U.S. national team, but hasn't played for the Stars and Stripes since 2015 and struggled for regular Liga MX minutes at Santos Laguna.

Isijara, 28, plays on the right wing and had been at Necaxa since 2011, earning a call-up to the Mexican national team last summer.