DR Congo international striker Cédric Bakambu has officially joined MLS side San Diego FC this week. The former Real Betis player, who featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the Leopards, has signed a deal through the 2026 season with club options for the following two years, as reported by Reuters.
Bakambu's arrival, announced on Thursday, brings valuable experience to a team pushing for a playoff spot. San Diego FC sporting director Tyler Heaps told Field Level Media the player brought "an incredible level of experience and proven quality." Bakambu has scored 21 goals in 72 caps for DR Congo since his debut in 2015.
Why did San Diego FC sign Bakambu?
The California-based club is looking to bolster its attack to secure a postseason berth. Bakambu arrives as a free agent after two seasons in Spain's La Liga, where he scored 15 goals in 74 appearances for Real Betis. His career, which began at French side Sochaux, has seen him play for prestigious clubs like Villarreal, Olympique Marseille, and Galatasaray.
He joins an attack that already features designated player wingers Anders Dreyer and Elias Achouri, as well as striker Marcus Ingvartsen. San Diego FC currently sits eighth in the Western Conference with 30 points. You can check the team's precise standing in the MLS standings.
What was Bakambu's journey with DR Congo?
The 35-year-old was a key part of DR Congo's historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. At the final tournament, he started all three group stage matches, helping his team advance to the Round of 32. DR Congo was drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.
Bakambu has also featured in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments with the Leopards. His full international journey and detailed statistics are available on our dedicated national team stats page.
What does this signing mean for the run-in?
The immediate goal for San Diego FC is to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for a second consecutive year. Bringing in an experienced striker like Bakambu aims to add efficiency during the decisive final stretch of the season.
The schedule for upcoming MLS fixtures is busy, and the technical staff is counting on the new arrival's versatility. Fans can follow the full agenda of upcoming matches on our fixtures page. Bakambu has accumulated 191 goals in 492 professional matches throughout his career, a ratio San Diego hopes he can maintain.
His contract with San Diego FC runs until December 2026, with club options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
