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Switchbacks’ Ngalina Heads on Loan to Los Angeles FC

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 09/21/21, 7:00PM EDT

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Major League Soccer club acquires standout winger, has option for transfer from Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced on Wednesday the club had reached an agreement with Major League Soccer for the loan of winger Michee Ngalina to Los Angeles Football Club. The deal includes a purchase option for the standout Congolese winger who entered the night tied for the most assists in the USL Championship this season.

Having previously played for him at the Philadelphia Union II, Ngalina was a top target for Switchbacks Head Coach Brendan Burke when he took control of the side in December and Burke has been pleased with the progress he has seen in the 21-year-old this season.

“Michee has been a special player but also a wonderful person to work with,” said Burke. “Always with a smile on his face and a willingness to grow and learn. He had the foresight to take a chance on himself this year and has shown to be a top young talent in USL Championship. It is phenomenal to see players like Michee use the platform that [the Championship] can provide to showcase their ability to make an impact at higher levels of the game, while still working out the few things that need attention.

“It is a very thoughtful approach for such a young player to take and it again speaks to what a well-rounded individual he is. Michee has been integral part of our success to this point and the staff and players here in Colorado Springs will be his biggest fans as he embarks on the next stage of his journey.”


Congolese winger Michee Ngalina has recorded eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances in the 2021 USL Championship season for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, helping turn the club's fortunes and put in on a path to the postseason. | Photo courtesy

The 21-year-old appeared in 21 games for Switchbacks FC, tallying eight goals and eight assists after arriving from the Union in January. The Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, native came to the United States as part of the elite Montverde Academy with the support of Rainbow Sports Global and was signed in 2018 by the Union II. He was named to USL’s 20 Under 20 list in both 2018 and 2019 prior to signing an MLS contract with Philadelphia. Ngalina has also been part of the DR Congo youth national team setup, where he was the leading scorer for his country’s U17 team in the 2016 cycle.

“Michee’s move validates the fact that Switchbacks FC are in a new era in which the team can compete with the best of the USL Championship, individuals can perform and earn the opportunity to pursue their dreams of playing in top-flight leagues, and soccer operations can contribute to a sustainable business model for the club,” said Switchbacks General Manager Brian Crookham. “Michee has certainly earned the opportunity in front of him. The staff work hard every day to ensure that the recruitment and preparation of this caliber of player will allow others to follow in Michee’s footsteps.”

While specific terms of the transfer are not public, Switchbacks FC will receive a loan fee for 2021 and LAFC has an option to purchase at the end of the season for a fixed transfer fee plus conditional payments and a percentage of future sell-on revenue.

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