Quick Read
- Denis Bouanga signed a multi-year contract extension with LAFC through 2028, with an option for 2029-30.
- LAFC rejected reported transfer bids of $15 million from Fluminense and $13 million from Inter Miami for Bouanga.
- Bouanga became LAFC’s all-time leading goal scorer in 2025 with 94 goals in 144 games.
- He is the first MLS player to record three consecutive seasons with 20 or more goals (2023-2025).
- Bouanga and Son Heung-Min combined for 18 straight goals for LAFC, setting a new MLS record.
LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – Los Angeles FC (LAFC) has solidified its attacking core by re-signing star forward Denis Bouanga to a multi-year contract extension as a Designated Player, securing his tenure through the 2028 season with an option for 2029-30. The announcement, made on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, comes after the club reportedly fended off significant transfer bids during the recent winter window, underscoring Bouanga’s indispensable value to the reigning MLS contender.
The extension is a clear statement of intent from LAFC, which rejected a reported $15 million offer from Brazilian side Fluminense and a $13 million bid from MLS rival Inter Miami for the 31-year-old striker. Bouanga, who earned $3 million last year, has consistently been recognized as one of the league’s most dangerous players, with a 2026 survey of chief soccer officers around MLS voting him the most talented player in the league, excluding Lionel Messi and Son Heung-Min.
Bouanga’s Stellar Performance Drives Extension
Since his arrival at LAFC on August 5, 2022, from AS St. Etienne, Bouanga has delivered an unparalleled level of performance, quickly establishing himself as a marquee player. His impact was immediate, scoring a game-winning stoppage-time goal that secured the 2022 Supporters’ Shield and contributing two crucial goals in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, helping LAFC clinch the MLS Cup trophy.
His first full season in 2023 was historic, culminating in the MLS Golden Boot with 20 goals and seven assists in 31 regular-season appearances. Across all competitions that year, Bouanga tied Carlos Vela’s club record with 38 goals and added 14 assists in 48 appearances, earning selections to both the Concacaf Champions League Best XI and MLS Best XI, and finishing as an MLS MVP finalist.
Bouanga continued his prolific form in 2024, recording 20 goals and 11 assists in 32 regular-season appearances, earning his second consecutive MLS All-Star and Best XI selections, and finishing as the Golden Boot co-runner-up. The 2025 season saw him reach new heights, becoming LAFC’s all-time leading goal scorer with 94 goals in 144 games, surpassing Vela’s previous record. He also became the first player in MLS history to register three straight seasons with 20 or more goals, finishing 2025 with a career-high 24 regular-season goals and his third consecutive MLS All-Star and Best XI honors, along with another MLS MVP finalist nomination.
LAFC Rejects Major Transfer Bids for Star Striker
The decision to extend Bouanga’s contract reflects LAFC’s unwavering commitment to building a championship-caliber squad. Rejecting lucrative offers from both international and domestic clubs signals the organization’s belief in Bouanga’s continued ability to drive success. John Thorrington, LAFC Co-President & General Manager, emphasized the club’s philosophy, stating, “At this club, performance matters. 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.”
Bouanga himself expressed gratitude for the club’s trust, adding, “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.”
Impact and Future with Son Heung-Min
The extension ensures the formidable partnership between Bouanga and superstar forward Son Heung-Min will continue to flourish. Since Son’s arrival, the duo has formed one of the most lethal attacking pairings in the league, combining for 25 goals and eight assists (including playoffs). Their synergy was particularly evident between late August and early October, when they combined to score 18 straight goals for LAFC, setting a new MLS record for consecutive goals by two teammates. This partnership also made LAFC the first club in MLS history to have a player record a hat trick in three consecutive games, showcasing their devastating combined offensive power.
Bouanga’s exceptional form has extended to the international stage, where he has made 53 appearances for the Gabon national team, scoring 17 goals. His most recent international highlight was a hat trick in Gabon’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Seychelles on September 3, 2025. Domestically, Bouanga has continued his strong play into the current season, recently scoring a hat trick in a Concacaf Champions Cup match against Real España and netting another goal in LAFC’s season-opening victory over Inter Miami.
The multi-year extension for Denis Bouanga, particularly in the face of significant external interest, underscores LAFC’s strategic ambition to maintain its elite status in MLS and compete for further continental honors, banking on the proven goal-scoring prowess and leadership of its key attacking figures.