
LAFC Acquires Defender Nkosi Tafari from FC Dallas
January 23, 2025 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Los Angeles FC News Release
LAFC today announced that the team has acquired defender Nkosi Tafari from FC Dallas in exchange for $300,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money and a 2026 International Roster Slot.
"Nkosi is a player of great promise, and we are excited to welcome him to LAFC to see him fulfill his potential," LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. "Nkosi's technical ability and physicality will further solidify our strong backline."
Tafari, 27, joins the Black & Gold from Western Conference rival FC Dallas, where he has spent the entirety of his five professional seasons, since getting drafted with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft from Seattle University.
The Manhattan, NY native appeared in 28 regular season games (25 starts) for Dallas last season, scoring three goals. Overall, Nkosi has played in 107 regular season matches (84 starts), compiling seven goals and six assists in 7,885 total minutes.
Tafari's continued development and towering presence on the FC Dallas backline earned him an invitation to the U.S. National Team January Training Camp in January, 2024.
Prior to joining FC Dallas, Tafari began his collegiate career at the University of Connecticut, where he appeared in 46 matches over three seasons with the Huskies. He transferred to Seattle University for his senior season, helping the Redhawks earn 10 shutouts as they won the WAC regular season title and he was named the 2019 WAC Defensive Player of the Year and named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team.
Name: Nkosi Tafari
Pronunciation: En-KO-see Tuh-far-eye
Position: Defender
Age: 27
Height: 6'4"
Hometown: Manhattan, NY
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: FC Dallas
TRANSACTION: LAFC acquires defender Nkosi Tafari from FC Dallas in exchange for $300,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money and a 2026 International Roster Slot.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from January 23, 2025
- LAFC to Face Liga MX's Club América in Preseason Match at BMO Stadium - Los Angeles FC
- International Duty: Inter Miami CF Academy Star Victor Fung Set to Take the South American Stage - Inter Miami CF
- Houston Dynamo FC Announce Theme Nights for 20th MLS Season - Houston Dynamo FC
- Real Salt Lake Adds Ghanaian Striker Forster Ajago to 2025 Roster - Real Salt Lake
- Charlotte FC Transfers Forward Karol Świderski to Panathinaikos FC - Charlotte FC
- D.C. United Midfielder Jackson Hopkins and Forward Hakim Karamoko to Undergo Surgery - D.C. United
- žan Kolmanič Signs with Austin FC for an Additional Guaranteed Year - Austin FC
- FC Dallas Transfers Midfielder Alan Velasco to Club Atlético Boca Juniors - FC Dallas
- Sounders FC Earns 2-0 Win over Puskás Akadémia FC in First 2025 Preseason Friendly - Seattle Sounders FC
- Charlotte FC Announce 2025 Promotions Schedule - Charlotte FC
- Real Salt Lake Loans D/M Kevon Lambert to Louisville City of USL Championship - Real Salt Lake
- LAFC Acquires Defender Nkosi Tafari from FC Dallas - Los Angeles FC
- FC Dallas Trades Defender Nkosi Tafari to LAFC for $300K in 2026 General Allocation Money and 2026 International Roster Slot - FC Dallas
- LA Galaxy Sign Defender Ascel Essengue and Re-Sign Defender Eriq Zavaleta - LA Galaxy
- Real Salt Lake Signs Australian Striker Ariath Piol - Real Salt Lake
- Houston Dynamo FC Loan Defender Kieran Sargeant to Lexington SC - Houston Dynamo FC
- Nashville Soccer Club Signs Goalkeeper Brian Schwake - Nashville SC
- FC Cincinnati Back for 10th Anniversary - FC Cincinnati
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Los Angeles FC Stories
- LAFC Defeats Columbus 3-0 in First Leg of Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 Series
- LAFC Stays Unbeaten in MLS Play With 1-0 Win Over New York City FC
- LAFC Signs Midfielder Adam Saldana
- LAFC Advances to Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 with 1-0 Win over Colorado
- LAFC Opens 2025 MLS Season With 1-0 Win Over Minnesota United

