LAFC adds Bouanga as designated player

Just after noon on Friday, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi offered his final goodbyes to the Los Angeles Football Club. With his Tesla parked on the curb in front of the entrance to the LAFC performance center on the campus of Cal State L.A., the 28-year-old forward exchanged hugs with a trio of support staff, including the club's head of security, Paul Abodaca, who is generally among the first people within the organization to see players come and go.

Saving its largest financial commitment for last, LAFC added Denis Bouanga for less than a

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$5 million fee, said Kuntz, who confirmed the Frenchman's 4 1/2-year Designated Player contract. The club holds an option on Bouanga's final season in 2025.

Upon Diego Rossi's departure to Turkey last year, LAFC's unsettled DP slot went to an athletic 27-yearold forward who was on the front office's radar for the past five years.

Prior to the unsuccessful acquisition of youthful Portuguese midfielder Andre Horta in 2018, Bouanga, who plays internationally for the African nation of Gabon, was considered a potential DP out of France's second division. However Bouanga was too old to be a “Young Designated Player,” according to MLS rules, so the timing didn't work. Yet he remained a good profile fit.

Bouanga joins Carlos Vela and Brian Rodriguez to round out the club's allotment of designated players.

“We think he's a natural fit,” Kuntz said. “He's very dynamic. He's quick. He's explosive. He's fast. He works hard. The French league is a very athletic league. You've got some incredibly fast strong center backs, so we feel good about his ability to fit in with the group and apply pressure.”

Playing with AS SaintEtienne

in Ligue 1, the top flight of French soccer, Bouanga entered his prime over the past three seasons, registering 28 goals and 16 assists in 110 appearances across all competitions, including five Europa League matches.

“What we are always looking for, and it's difficult, is someone who can play across all three (attacking) spots,” Kuntz said. “We feel really good that Denis can give us an option no matter who he's with in the starting lineup.

After a full preseason in France, Bouanga is expected to join LAFC ready to contribute to a team that is one point shy of the MLS record-setting pace they established in 2019.