USMNT star Folarin Balogun reacts to 'unfortunate' events after scoring first Monaco goal since €40m transfer from Arsenal

The United States international striker is still finding his feet in new surroundings after completing a €40 million (£34m/$43m) transfer from Arsenal late in the summer window. He has been away with his country since then, delaying his adjustment process at Stade Louis II, but is already looking sharp.

Balogun stepped off the bench during the second half of Monaco’s clash with Lorient on Sunday and required just three minutes in which to produce a smart left-footed finish that was fizzed into the back of the net from a tight angle.

That effort put Monaco 2-1 up at the time, but a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser meant that they had to settle for a share of the points. Balogun posted on social media of a memorable moment for him, but a disappointing end result: “Unfortunately, we did not get the result we wanted but I am happy to get my first goal for this team!”

Balogun hit 21 goals in Ligue 1 during a productive loan spell at Reims last season and – having also been on target for the USMNT during the international break – will hope that he can maintain high standards over the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.