LAFC has secured Denis Bouanga with a multiyear designated player contract extension through 2028 with an option for 2029-30. The 31-year-old forward, who arrived from Ligue 1's St-Étienne in August 2022, has been instrumental in LAFC's success, becoming the club's all-time leading goal-scorer.

The extension comes after significant offseason interest from Brazilian power Fluminense, with multiple reports suggesting a deal was imminent. Instead, LAFC has preserved its dynamic scoring duo alongside Son Heung-Min, who joined midseason last year. Bouanga has scored 101 goals and provided 42 assists in 152 appearances for LAFC, earning three consecutive MLS Best XI selections.

Bouanga's consistency has been remarkable, becoming the first MLS player to score 20 goals in three straight seasons. His partnership with Son produced 25 goals and eight assists in their brief time together, including 18 consecutive goals scored by the duo. With Bouanga already off to a strong start this season with a hat trick in CONCACAF Champions Cup play and a goal plus assist against defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami, LAFC expects to contend for titles with its star forward locked in for the long term.