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    LAFC trades Kwadwo Opoku for $1.75 million in general allocation money
    • July 6, 2023

    The Los Angeles Football Club traded forward Kwadwo “Mahala” Opoku to Montreal on Wednesday for $1.75 million in general allocation money.

    All but $100,000 of that figure applies to 2023. The remainder was slotted for 2024.

    In a separate transaction with Montreal, LAFC also acquired a 2023 international roster slot for $100,000 in 2024 GAM.

    The transaction marks the largest general allocation money deal in LAFC history, bringing in a half-million dollars more than the trade that sent All-Star defender Walker Zimmerman to Nashville prior to the 2020 MLS season.

    As the summer transfer window opens July 5, selling Opoku, who turns 22 next week, provides significant financial flexibility for LAFC (9-6-5, 32 points).

    “Mahala has been an incredible story and an important player for us over the last few years,” LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said in a statement announcing the deal. “These decisions are never easy but are at times necessary. It has been great to watch him grow and develop as a player on the field and a person off the pitch. We are grateful for all of his contributions to LAFC and wish him the best of luck in his career.”

    LAFC signed Opoku, then 19, from the Attram De Visser Soccer Academy in Ghana in October 2020.

    He debuted during LAFC’s 2020 CONCACAF Champions League run, scoring a late game-winning goal in a quarterfinal victory over Cruz Azul.

    The quick-footed Ghanian scored twice in the 2023 CCL tournament, and departs LAFC as the club’s third-leading goal scorer in the continental competition.

    Opoku appeared in 60 MLS regular-season matches, starting 35. He scored nine goals and added seven assists.

    He rebounded well after missing most of 2021 following surgery on his left knee.

    During last year’s successful push to the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup, Opoku appeared in every regular-season match.

    In 19 league appearances this season, he scored twice and registered two assists.

    Mahala had requested a guarantee of regular minutes this year and was seeking a boost in his compensation. He was set to make $257,288 in guaranteed pay in 2023, according to figures released by the MLS player’s association.

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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