MLS-BOUANGA SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH LAFC THROUGH 2028
- Jonathan Turner
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
Los Angeles FC has secured one of Major League Soccer’s most dynamic attackers for the long term.
The club announced that forward Denis Bouanga has signed a multi-year contract extension as a Designated Player through 2028, with an option for the 2029-30 season.
“At this club, performance matters,” said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington. “Denis has delivered at an elite level with historic consistency since the day he arrived, and he has helped us win multiple trophies. This new contract reflects that. We’re proud of what he’s accomplished here and are motivated to continue building on that success together.”
Bouanga, 31, joined LAFC on August 5, 2022, from AS Saint-Étienne in France’s Ligue 1, where he totaled 26 goals and 13 assists over three seasons. He made an immediate impact in MLS, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner in Portland to clinch the 2022 Supporters’ Shield. He followed that with two goals in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, helping guide LAFC to the MLS Cup title.
“I’m grateful to LAFC for the trust they’ve shown in me,” Bouanga said. “From the beginning, my family and I have felt at home in Los Angeles. It’s an honor to represent this club and our supporters every time I put on the jersey. I believe in what we are building here, and I’m motivated to keep improving, winning more trophies, and helping this club reach even higher.”
Historic Production in Black & Gold
Bouanga’s first full season in 2023 was one of the most dominant individual campaigns in club history. He scored 20 goals with seven assists in 31 regular-season matches to capture the MLS Golden Boot, becoming just the third LAFC player to lead the league in scoring, joining Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi. He was also named an MLS All-Star and finished as a finalist for MLS MVP.
Across all competitions in 2023, Bouanga recorded 38 goals — tying Vela’s club record set in 2019 — along with 14 assists in 48 appearances. He notched hat tricks in MLS regular-season play, the Concacaf Champions League, and Leagues Cup, earning spots on both the MLS Best XI and the Concacaf Champions League Best XI.
In 2024, Bouanga continued his elite form, tallying 20 goals and 11 assists in 32 regular-season appearances. He earned his second straight MLS All-Star selection, was named to the MLS Best XI, and finished as the Golden Boot co-runner-up. He also became just the third player in club history to reach 40 regular-season goals.
He once again starred in Leagues Cup play, posting six goals and three assists in seven matches while leading the tournament in total shots and tying for most shots on target.
Record-Breaking 2025 Campaign
During the 2025 season, Bouanga became LAFC’s all-time leading goal scorer, surpassing Vela’s previous mark of 93 goals. He now sits at 94 goals in 144 matches for the club at the time of the record-breaking milestone and has since totaled 101 goals and 42 assists in 152 appearances across all competitions.
Bouanga scored a career-high 24 regular-season goals in 2025, becoming the first player in MLS history to record three consecutive 20-goal seasons. He was named to his third straight MLS All-Star team, earned a third consecutive MLS Best XI selection, and was again a finalist for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.
He also became just the second player in LAFC history to score 10 or more goals in three consecutive seasons.
Dynamic Duo
Following the arrival of global star Son Heung-Min, the partnership between Son and Bouanga quickly became one of the most dangerous in MLS. The pair combined for 25 goals and eight assists (including playoffs) after Son joined the club.
Between late August and early October, the duo scored 18 consecutive goals for LAFC, setting an MLS record for most consecutive goals by two teammates. Their chemistry also helped LAFC become the first club in league history to have a player record a hat trick in three consecutive matches.
International Resume
Bouanga has also been a key contributor for the Gabon national team since making his debut in January 2017. He has earned 53 caps (52 starts) and scored 17 international goals. On September 3, 2025, he recorded a hat trick in Gabon’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Seychelles.
With his long-term future now secured, LAFC ensures that one of the league’s most prolific goal scorers will remain a centerpiece of the club’s championship ambitions for years to come.
TRANSACTION: LAFC re-signs forward Denis Bouanga to a contract extension as a Designated Player through 2028, with an option through the 2029-30 season. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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