LAFC has signed forward Denis Bouanga to a two-year contract extension guaranteed through 2027 with a team option for 2028.
Bouanga, 29, put together one of the most dominant seasons Major League Soccer has ever seen in 2023. He won the Golden Boot with 20 regular-season goals and was recognized as an MLS All-Star and MVP finalist and was named to the MLS Best XI. Bouanga’s goal scoring prowess continued in every competition he played, finishing as the top scorer in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League and leading all MLS players with 38 total goals scored in all competitions. He ended the year with 51 total goal contributions in 48 games played.
“Dénis has made an incredible impact on LAFC and our league over the last two seasons and has been critical to our success,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. “We are excited to see one of the best players in the league make this long-term commitment to LAFC and continue our commitment to winning championships in Los Angeles.”
The Le Mans, France native joined LAFC as a Designated Player on Aug. 5, 2022, after three seasons with AS St. Etienne in France’s Ligue 1, where he registered 26 goals and 13 assists in 7,198 minutes. Bouanga quickly became a marquee player for LAFC, scoring a game-winning stoppage-time goal in Portland to secure the 2022 Supporters’ Shield for the Black & Gold.
Bouanga scored two more goals in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, helping lead LAFC to the 2022 MLS Cup trophy. Overall, he has found the back of the net seven times in eight career MLS Playoff games in becoming LAFC’s all-time leader in playoff goals scored.
