San Diego Legion signs Major League Rugby’s first player from Mexico

The San Diego Legion has signed the first Mexican player in Major League Rugby (MLR) history, Alejandro Pradillo, who will join the club next year.

Pradillo was born in Mexico City and discovered his passion for rugby at the age of 13. After years of representing Mexico at both youth and senior levels, he is ready to join the Legion as a prop and inspire the next generation of Mexican rugby players.

“Becoming the first Mexican player in the MLR is a dream come true,” said Pradillo. “I want to inspire others and show that with hard work and dedication anything is possible.”

Alex Corbisiero, the Legion’s scrum coach, said the club was “not only making history by signing the first Mexican MLR player, but we are also gaining a valuable asset for our squad.”

“Alejandro is a strong, experienced rugby player who can play on both sides. “He has a great passion for improvement and a love of the hustle and bustle, which is non-negotiable for a prop here at Legion,” the coach said. “We look forward to providing him with his first fully professional environment and helping him maximize his potential on the field.”

Ernesto Sainz, president of the Mexican Rugby Federation, was also pleased with the signing, saying: “We hope that this is the first step towards direct cooperation between Mexican Rugby and MLR.”

Pradillo began playing rugby at Greengates International School in Naucalpan de Juárez, northwest of Mexico City.

There he won the U16 and U19 categories of the Mexican rugby tournament. He represented Mexico on the U16 and U19 national rugby 15 teams and competed in the Rugby Americas North League Championship, where he was named best forward two years in a row.

Pradillo made his first steps in professional rugby at the age of 16 with Wallabies RFC of Mexico, where he helped the team win five national championships between 2008 and 2013.

In addition to Rugby 15s, Pradillo also represented Mexico in Rugby 7s, competing at the 2012 Pan American Games and the 2022 Central American and Caribbean Games.

In California, Pradillo played for the San Clemente Rhinos and competed in the 2023 Amateur Rugby World Cup. That same year he played for the San Diego Centurions and this year was invited to play for the Kahurangi Rugby Club in New Zealand. Winning the Division One trophy in July.

The Legion finished 11-5 in 2024 and reached the postseason, but lost to Seattle in the conference semifinals.