LAFC signs forward Denis Bouanga as a Designated Player
Announced today, LAFC signs forward Denis Bouanga to a Designated Player contract. The Gabon International player from Ligue 1 side Saint-Ètienne will join the Black and Gold upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
After three seasons with AS Saint-Ètienne in French First Division Ligue 1, Bouanga was acquired by the Los Angeles Football Club for a fee of $5 million. While playing for Saint-Ètienne, Bouanga made a total of 96 appearances, notching 26 goals and 13 assists in 7,198 minutes on the field before getting dropped to France’s second division for the 2022–23 season.
“Denis is a proven attacker in the prime of his career and is an excellent complement to our group,” said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington as LAFC signs forward Denis Bouanga. “He is a player in high demand, and we are grateful he and his family have chosen to continue his career in L.A. in order to help us achieve our ultimate goal of winning trophies.”
Bouanga started his youth career for his hometown club FC Lemans and played his last season for the U-19 team in 2013–14. In 2015, Bouanga signed with FC Lorient of Ligue 1, making 25 appearances and scoring 12 goals for FC Lorient B before making his Ligue 1 debut against Olympique Lyon. In his first season in Ligue 1, Bouanga appeared in four games and recorded one goal.
While on loan with RC Strasbourg in 2016, Bouanga scored five goals and added three assists in 18 matches, aiding Strasbourg in their promotion to Ligue 2. He stayed on loan with Tours FC for the 2016–17 season, appearing in 37 matches, scoring 16 goals and dishing out six assists across all competitions for Ligue 2.
Following a permanent transfer from Lorient to Nimes of France’s Ligue 1, Bouanga played in 38 games and scored eight goals. He then moved to Saint-Ètienne in 2019 and eventually became the club’s leading scorer..
The 27-year-old Bouanga joins Carlos Vela and Brian Rodríguez as the Club’s third and last Designated Player. With Vela, Rodríguez, Gareth Bale, and Cristian Arango ready to lead LAFC to the Supporters’ Shield, newcomer Bouanga allows head coach Steve Cherundolo more options.
As LAFC signs forward Denis Bouanga, the MLS Secondary Transfer Window closed on Thursday evening.
