USMNT star Folarin Balogun explains celebration after first Monaco goal as coach Adi Hutter talks up American striker’s ‘other skills’

The United States international stepped off the bench to make an immediate impact during a Ligue 1 meeting with Lorient on Sunday. He had been on the pitch less than three minutes when firing a left-footed effort from a tight angle into the back of the net.

Balogun, who hit 21 goals while on loan at Reims from Arsenal last season, is now up and running for Monaco and told the club’s official website of why he chose to celebrate with the away support. He said: “When I scored, I knew the fans were near. So I wanted us all to be together to celebrate this goal. It’s the first time I scored in front of our fans so I wanted to show all my gratitude.”

Balogun has been acquired by Monaco to deliver end product, but head coach Hutter claims the 22-year-old beings much more than that to the fold. He said of seeing the American open his goal account: “I’m very happy for him and for his first goal with the club, I think it’s deserved. He had already scored with the USMNT during the international break. He is a player who brings other skills to the attacking third. But we also have players like Wissam Ben Yedder, Myron Boadu, Takumi Minamino and Aleksandr Golovin who can also bring us things offensively.”

Balogun joined Monaco in a transfer deal worth an initial €30 million (£26m/$32m), with the decision taken to sever ties with Premier League giants Arsenal as he looks to find the regular game time that will aid his ongoing development with club and country.