Veteran Central Defender Joins Club In Exchange For $150,000 In Allocation Money
The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) announced today it has acquired defender Sebastien Ibeagha from New York City FC in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM). NYCFC will receive an additional $50,000 in GAM if certain incentives are met.
“Sebastien is a key acquisition for us at this stage of the season,” said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington. “With his experience, we believe he will be a great fit and is an important addition to our Club.”
Ibeagha, 29, joins LAFC after appearing in 64 MLS matches for New York City FC from 2018-21. This season, Ibeagha has played in eight games, making two starts and totaling 348 minutes played.
The 2017 USL Defender of the Year with San Antonio FC, Ibeagha was originally a member of the Houston Dynamo Academy before enjoying a decorated collegiate career at Duke University from 2010-2013 that saw him earn All-ACC honors and the 2012 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award.
In 2018, Ibeagha signed with NYCFC, making 26 appearances (18 starts) and playing 1,717 minutes in his debut season. Ibeagha surpassed the 1,000-minute mark for the second straight season in 2019, making 11 starts in 23 MLS regular season appearances for NYCFC.
Ibeagha began his professional career in 2013, sigining with Danish first division club AC Horsens and making 17 appearances in his first season before being loaned to Denmark’s FC Fredericia. Ibeagha was loaned to Iceland’s Fran Reykjavik for the 2015 season, where he played in 19 matches, scoring one goal.
The six-foot-2 defender returned to the Houston Dynamo in 2016 and played on loan with Rio Grande Valley of USL and the NASL’s Rayo OKC before signing with San Antonio FC in 2017. With San Antonio, he was named the 2017 USL Defender of the Year and was also named to the 2017 USL All-League First Team.
Ibeagha has represented the U.S. U-20 National team and joining the U-23 National Team for training camp between 2010-11.
TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) acquires defender Sebastian Ibeagha from New York City FC in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).
VITALS:
Full Name: Sebastien Ibeagha
Position: Defender
Born: 1/21/1992
Height: 6-2
Weight: 187 lbs.
Birthplace: Warri, Nigeria
Last Club: New York City FC
Citizenship: USA
Instagram: @_sebibeagha
