LAFC winter transfers provide a new chapter with ambitions of greatness

LOS ANGELES -- As the 2025 MLS season looms, Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) finds itself at a pivotal juncture. Following a competitive but ultimately unfulfilled 2024 campaign, LAFC is undergoing a dramatic roster transformation. With their eyes set firmly on reclaiming the MLS Cup and contending for the prestigious Concacaf Champions Cup, the Black & Gold have embarked on an ambitious offseason overhaul.

This winter, LAFC bid farewell to several key contributors, including Mateusz Bogusz, Omar Campos, Ilie Sánchez and their first club legend Carlos Vela. The slate has been wiped almost completely clean, leaving a fresh canvas for the club’s leadership to shape. General Manager John Thorrington, fresh off his MLS Sporting Executive of the Year accolade, is orchestrating one of the most active transfer windows in LAFC’s history.

With a slew of departures and notable arrivals, the club is aiming to build not only a competitive roster but one capable of withstanding the grueling demands of a packed 2025 schedule. This is LAFC’s next chapter—one of renewal, depth, and unyielding ambition.

A Difficult Goodbye: Key Departures Define the Transition

Every offseason has its sacrifices, but for LAFC, this winter’s departures cut particularly deep. The loss of Mateusz Bogusz, who flourished in 2024 with 20 goals across all competitions, leaves a significant void in the attack. His move to Liga MX’s Cruz Azul is a testament to his rising profile, but it also underscores the challenges LAFC faces in replacing elite talent.

“Decisions like this are never easy,” Thorrington remarked, “but we’ve done this before—finding the next version of Mati is part of our DNA.” Bogusz’s partnership with Denis Bouanga was the second-most prolific in MLS last season, trailing only Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. Replacing that firepower will be no small feat.

The departure of Carlos Vela, LAFC’s first marquee signing and record-holder for most goals and assists in club history, marks the end of an era. Vela’s impact on the club is immeasurable, and while the decision to part ways was mutual with him barely playing minutes late last season and silently departing into LAFC lore on the wings of the MLS Cup title he helped win in 2022, it leaves a leadership gap both on and off the pitch. Similarly, losing defensive stalwart Jesús Murillo and midfield anchor Ilie Sánchez further highlights the extensive overhaul LAFC is undertaking.

Departures: Mateusz Bogusz, Omar Campos, Tomás Ángel, Jesús Murillo, Erik Dueñas, Ilie Sánchez, Carlos Vela, Eduard Atuesta, Kei Kamara, Lewis O’Brien

Bold Moves: Building Depth and Versatility

For all the farewells, LAFC’s offseason acquisitions signal an equally bold intent. Thorrington has prioritized depth and versatility, aiming to build a roster capable of thriving in both the MLS regular season and the Champions Cup.

Nkosi Tafari: Reinforcing the Backline

The signing of Nkosi Tafari from FC Dallas addresses LAFC’s need for defensive reinforcements following the departures of Murillo and Campos. Tafari, a 27-year-old center-back, brings physicality and technical prowess to the Black & Gold backline. With over 100 MLS appearances and a recent U.S. National Team call-up, Tafari is poised to make an immediate impact.

“Nkosi is a player of great promise,” Thorrington said. “His technical ability and physicality will further solidify our strong backline.” Tafari’s arrival signals LAFC’s commitment to defensive stability, a crucial element in navigating the challenges of a congested 2025 schedule.

Yaw Yeboah: Experience and Versatility

Another defensive addition, Yaw Yeboah, joins LAFC from the Columbus Crew. Known for his adaptability and experience, Yeboah was a key contributor to Columbus’s 2023 MLS Cup victory and 2024 Leagues Cup triumph. His ability to play multiple positions across the backline and midfield makes him a valuable asset for a team aiming to compete on multiple fronts.

“Yaw is a dynamic and versatile player with MLS experience and success,” Thorrington noted. “He fits well with our team and our goals for 2025.”

Jeremy Ebobisse: Proven Goal Scorer

In the attacking third, LAFC added veteran MLS striker Jeremy Ebobisse, whose 60 career goals highlight his reliability and consistency. Ebobisse’s arrival bolsters an attack looking to replace the contributions of Bogusz and Vela, and his experience will be invaluable in high-pressure situations.

Midfield Makeover

The midfield has also seen significant changes, with the arrivals of Mark Delgado, Igor Jesus, and Odin Thiago Holm. Delgado, acquired from rivals LA Galaxy, brings over a decade of MLS experience and a tireless work ethic. His ability to control the tempo and provide defensive cover makes him a perfect fit for LAFC’s high-octane style.

Meanwhile, Igor Jesus and Odin Thiago Holm represent the future. Jesus, a 21-year-old Brazilian, is a defensive midfielder with experience in Portugal’s top flight, while Holm, a Norwegian U22 signing on loan from Celtic, is a creative force who can operate as a No. 8 or No. 10. Holm’s pedigree, including a nomination for the 2023 Golden Boy award, speaks to his potential to shine on a global stage.

Depth as a Strategy: Preparing for 2025’s Demands

One theme emerges from LAFC’s offseason moves: depth. The 2025 season presents unique challenges, with the club competing in MLS, the Champions Cup, and domestic tournaments like the U.S. Open Cup. Thorrington has emphasized the importance of building a roster capable of handling this workload.

“We wanted to develop a group that was younger, more robust, and deeper,” he explained. “We need to rotate and compete on all fronts.” This philosophy has driven the club’s approach, ensuring two-deep coverage at every position and creating an environment of daily competition in training.

That competitive edge will be crucial as LAFC seeks to avoid the fatigue that plagued their 2024 campaign. In Thorrington’s words, “What depth also does is add competition every single day in training. That is what top teams need.”

Balancing Continuity and Change

Despite the significant roster turnover, LAFC is not abandoning the core principles that have made them a perennial contender. Players like Aaron Long and Denis Bouanga remain integral to the team’s plans, providing continuity amidst the changes.

Long’s re-signing is particularly significant, as his leadership and experience will be vital in guiding a restructured backline. Bouanga, meanwhile, will continue to lead the attack, building on a 2024 season in which he emerged as one of MLS’s most prolific scorers.

The challenge for LAFC will be blending the new faces with the existing core to create a cohesive unit. This balance of continuity and change is a delicate act, but one that Thorrington and head coach Steve Cherundolo have navigated successfully in the past.

The Missing Piece: The Third Designated Player Dilemma

One glaring omission in LAFC’s revamped roster is the elusive third Designated Player (DP). With the DP slot open, the club faces immense pressure to find a player who can elevate the squad to new heights. Rumors have swirled around Antoine Griezmann, the French international and World Cup winner, as a potential summer signing. Griezmann’s technical brilliance, versatility, and proven track record would undoubtedly make him a transformative addition to the Black & Gold. However, questions remain about whether LAFC’s reliance on summer signings has become too formulaic.

Last year’s Olivier Giroud experiment, for instance, failed to deliver the intended impact. Despite his pedigree as a proven goal scorer, Giroud struggled to adapt to MLS’s intensity and did not contribute meaningfully to LAFC’s late-season or postseason campaigns. While there is hope that he could redeem himself this year, the lack of production from a marquee player highlighted the risks of delayed integration.

For LAFC, the stakes are high. The team’s 2025 ambitions hinge on finding the right player to fill the DP slot—not just a big name, but someone who can seamlessly fit into the system and contribute immediately. Whether the answer lies in Griezmann or elsewhere, the pressure to deliver a statement signing looms large. It’s a reminder that, for all the depth and versatility LAFC has built, the margin for error in MLS remains razor-thin.

Looking Ahead: A Season of Opportunity

As the 2025 season approaches, LAFC’s ambitions are clear. The Concacaf Champions Cup represents an opportunity to establish themselves as the premier club in North America, while the MLS Cup remains the ultimate goal. To achieve these aims, LAFC will rely on the depth, versatility, and leadership they have worked tirelessly to assemble this offseason.

While the departures of key players like Bogusz and Vela signal the end of an era, the new arrivals bring excitement and potential. Players like Tafari, Yeboah, and Holm embody the club’s commitment to innovation and growth, while veterans like Ebobisse and Delgado provide the experience needed to navigate high-stakes matches.

Thorrington’s offseason moves reflect a club that refuses to rest on its laurels. As he put it, “Whether it’s the exact same group of players or new players, the standards don’t change here.” For LAFC, those standards are about more than winning—they’re about defining the future of the league.

In many ways, LAFC’s offseason represents a microcosm of what the club stands for: ambition, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The roster overhaul may feel like a risk, but for a team with its sights set on multiple trophies, it’s a calculated gamble.

As the Black & Gold prepare to take the field in 2025, they do so with a renewed sense of purpose. The slate has been wiped clean, but the vision remains the same: to compete, to innovate, and to win. For LAFC, the future is unwritten—but it’s one they are determined to shape on their own terms.