The 2022 MLS season ended over a month as Los Angeles FC is now focusing on the 2023 MLS season. During the off-season, LAFC is working on what players are leaving the club, who stays, and who comes in.
Center-back Sebastien Ibeagha left LAFC to join FC Dallas as a free agent. He signed a two-year contract with club options for two years, the club announced on December 5th.
Ibeagha made 36 appearances in all competitions for the Black and Gold from 2021-22. He helped the team win the 2022 MLS supporters shield and the 2022 MLS Cup. He also helped anchor the third-best defense in the league that only allowed 38 goals, behind FC Dallas (37) and Philadelphia Union (29).
Before he joined LAFC, Ibeagha played three and a half seasons with New York City FC from 2018-2021, playing in an overall 79 matches.
Ibeagha began his youth career with Houston Dynamo before a collegiate career at Duke University from 2010-13, where he earned All-ACC honors and 2012 ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
After graduating from university with an A.B. degree in Earth and Ocean Sciences. He took his senior football career to Europe and signed his first professional contract with Danish club AC Horsens in 2013, where he appeared in 17 matches. He had a loan spell with the Danish club FC Fredericia in 2014 and Iceland’s Fran Reykjavik in 2015.
After spending two years playing in Europe, Ibeagha came back to the U.S. and joined Houston Dynamo in 2016. The Nigerian was then loaned to Houston’s USL affiliate Rio Grande Valley and NASL’s Rayo OKC. He later signed with San Antonio Football Club in 2017, where he appeared in 30 marches. Ibeagha received the 2017 USL All-League First Team and 2017 USL Defender of the Year with FC San Antonio.
Ibeagha represented the United States at various youth levels, including the U-20s and U-23s. He will be part of the Los Angeles Football Club’s history.
