LAFC just put their future in the hands of a massive question mark | OneFootball

Los Angeles FC added a big piece to strengthen its attack. Turkish forward Cengiz Ünder, 27, comes on loan from Fenerbahçe with a buy option and as a Designated Player. With experience at Roma, Leicester City, and Olympique de Marseille, he has international pedigree, but how well he adapts and how soon he translates in MLS is a question.

LAFC is determined to stay at the top. In 2024, the team remained competitive but lost a few key players. Mateusz Bogusz (Cruz Azul) and Cristian Olivera (Grêmio) were traded for a combined $15 million.

Now, with Ünder joining the ranks to complement Denis Bouanga and Olivier Giroud, the club brings in another high-profile player to share the attacking workload. The issue is that, whereas Bouanga has already made a name for himself in MLS, and Giroud speaks for himself, Ünder still needs to show he can be consistent in a new league.

LAFC did not acquire Ünder on the cheap. He was bought by Fenerbahçe for more than $15 million, and his loan deal with the California club includes a purchase option that would make him one of the franchise's highest financial investments.

Is Ünder the right signing for LAFC?

On credentials alone, Cengiz Ünder is well-qualified. He has 66 goals and 46 assists in 343 professional games, with 16 goals in 51 games for the Turkish national team.

If we look back, Ünder was never a natural goal scorer. He is a playmaker by strength, and he can also be utilized as a right-winger. He thrived at Roma, had moments at Leicester, and also found his place at Olympique de Marseille before moving to Fenerbahçe. But he failed to find a spot in the starting XI at the Turkish club, which raises questions about his current form.

LAFC requires a forward who consistently performs, not a player with sporadic flashes of brilliance. If Ünder is a good fit within the system, he can prove to be an excellent addition. Otherwise, he will be another costly signing that fails to impress.

The MLS adaptation challenge

MLS is not an easy league for European players to adapt to. Several players underestimate the physicality and competitiveness, and as such, there are many high-profile transfers that never materialize.

There's also an off-field factor. When he first came, Ünder commented on the cultural diversity of Los Angeles, but he also brought up the Armenian community in the city. Given the geopolitical tension between Turkey and Armenia, that could stir things up. Barring outright controversy, he's coming into a situation where everything he does is going to be magnified.

Expectations for 2025

LAFC begins the 2025 MLS season against Minnesota United and also competes in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The schedule, therefore, will be demanding from the get-go, and the new players will need to gel in a hurry.