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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Striker signed from Arsenal over the summer</li><li>Being eased into the fold</li><li>Has been in impressive form for club &amp; country</li></ul>

WATCH: USMNT star Folarin Balogun scores first goal for Monaco within three minutes of stepping off the bench against Lorient

The United States international returned to French football over the summer when <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/revealed-how-arsenal-thierry-henry-influenced-40m-monaco-transfer-usmnt-folarin-balogun/blte34ae13d0809df51" target="_blank">completing a €40 million (£34m/$43m) transfer from Premier League giants Arsenal</a>. He has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/why-arsenal-sell-usmnt-star-folarin-balogun-mikel-arteta-explains-40m-transfer-monaco/blt209df551351e8905" target="_blank">eased into the fold with new employers</a> – having been forced to head away with his country shortly after joining – but is now up and running on the goal front.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Balogun was introduced by Monaco against Lorient in the 66th minute, and hit the back of the net in the 69th. He displayed quick feet when being picked out inside the box, with a low left-footed drive from a tight angle beating the Lorient goalkeeper at his near post.<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Off the mark for Monaco! ✨ Folarin Balogun with a lovely finish 👏 <a href="https://t.co/cJGU5TLWlw">pic.twitter.com/cJGU5TLWlw</a>— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1703387585307955583?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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</center><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🇺🇸 CAPTAIN AMERICA IS BACK! 🇺🇸🤩 FOLARIN BALOGUN SCORED HIS FIRST GOAL WITH AS MONACO! 🇲🇨🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCLASM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCLASM</a> <a href="https://t.co/kFmwgGawEm">pic.twitter.com/kFmwgGawEm</a>— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/beINSPORTSUSA/status/1703426383748190616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Balogun’s effort completed an impressive turnaround from Monaco, who had found themselves trailing in just the second minute. Aleksandr Golovin restored parity in the 17th minute, before Balogun found the target in the second-half. He was, however, denied the opportunity to be a match-winner by a 98th-minute equaliser from the hosts.

DID YOU KNOW?

Balogun has already shown what he is capable of in Ligue 1, having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/balo-flo-usmnt-star-folarin-balogun-confirms-nickname-reveals-players-surprised-him-united-states-squad/bltd0817d930d5d3392" target="_blank">hit 21 goals for Reims during a productive loan spell</a> last season. He was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/folarin-balogun-ricardo-pepi-emulate-usmnt-goal-legends-jozy-altidore-clint-dempsey-brian-mcbride-tim-howard-challenges-no9-rivals/bltcb4fb870124b04ca" target="_blank">on target for the USMNT during the international break</a>, with confidence flowing through his game once more.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

WATCH: USMNT star Folarin Balogun scores first goal for Monaco within three minutes of stepping off the bench against Lorient | Goal.com

Folarin Balogun recorded his first goal for Monaco just three minutes after stepping off the bench in a Ligue 1 encounter with Lorient.

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