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LA Galaxy Acquire Ghanaian International Forward Joseph Paintsil as Designated Player from Belgian Pro League Side K.R.C. Genk

February 21, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


LOS ANGELES - The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has acquired Joseph Paintsil from Belgian Pro League side K.R.C. Genk as a Designated Player and signed the forward to a four-year contract through the end of the 2027 MLS season. Paintsil, who will occupy an international roster slot, will be added to the Galaxy roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

Paintsil, 26, joins the Galaxy after recording 61 goals and 35 assists across 228 matches played in Europe with K.R.C. Genk (2019-23), MKE Ankaragücü (2020-21) and Ferencvárosi TC (2017-18). Notably, Paintsil totaled 32 goal contributions (18 goals, 14 assists) in 39 matches played across all competitions for Genk during the 2022-23 campaign. During the 2022-23 Belgian Pro League season, Paintsil notched 28 goal contributions (14 goals, 14 assists) in 30 league appearances (28 starts), helping Genk qualify for the 2023-24 Europa Conference League.

"Joseph has been a key member of one of the best clubs in Belgium's top flight and one of Africa's most prominent national teams over the past few years and we are thrilled to announce that he is joining the LA Galaxy," said LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz. "We are looking forward to adding such a dynamic attacker in the prime of his career to our group and for him to be a key figure in our pursuit of our next trophies."

In 23 appearances (21 starts) for Genk in the Jupiler Pro League this season, the Accra, Ghana, native notched six goals and four assists. In five appearances for Genk in the 2023-24 Europa Conference League Group Stage, Paintsil notched two goals and one assist. On loan with Turkish side Ankaragücü, Paintsil notched 11 goals in 33 Süper Lig appearances during the 2020-21 campaign.

"We are pleased to add a player of Joseph's quality to the LA Galaxy," said LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. "Joseph is a dynamic winger with and without the ball who possesses the capacity to change games instantly. We look forward to integrating him into our group quickly."

In Genk's 2018-19 First Division A league championship winning campaign, Paintsil registered two goals and two assists in 18 matches played (9 starts). The winger began his career with Ferencváros in the Hungarian top flight, tallying 17 goal contributions (10 goals, 7 assists) in 25 appearances (24 starts) as a 19-year-old during the 2017-18 campaign.

At the international level, Paintsil has notched two assists in 14 appearances (9 starts) for Ghana, most recently tallying an assist in three appearances (2 starts) at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

Transaction: LA Galaxy acquire Joseph Paintsil from Belgian side K.R.C. Genk as a Designated Player and sign the forward to a four-year contract through the end of the 2027 MLS season on Feb. 21, 2024.

Joseph Paintsil

Position: Forward

Height: 5-9

Weight: 155

Date Of Birth: Feb. 1, 1998

Age: 22

Birthplace: Accra, Ghana

Last Club: K.R.C. Genk (Belgium)

Citizenship: Ghana

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