LOS ANGELES (September 4, 2026) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has loaned defender Ascel Essengue to USL Championship side Phoenix Rising FC for the remainder of the 2026 campaign on the heels of his return to LA from a loan stint with Loudoun United FC. The latest move reunites Essengue with Phoenix, where he spent the second half of the 2025 season.Â
Essengue, 23, joined Loudoun United FC on loan this past March. The defender went on to record 43 clearances, 13 interceptions, and five blocks across 10 appearances (all starts) in USL Championship play. Last season, the Yaoundé, Cameroon native made eight appearances and scored two goals for VCFC before joining Rising FC on loan, where he played 26 matches and added one goal in his first stint with the Arizona-based club.Â
In total, Essengue has recorded five goals in 80 appearances (66 starts) across all competitions for LA Galaxy’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, Ventura County FC. Essengue officially signed with Ventura County FC from Cameroon’s Kadji Sports Academy in 2021 after initially joining the LA Galaxy Academy at the age of 15.Â
Transaction: The LA Galaxy loan defender Ascel Essengue to USL Championship side Phoenix Rising FC for the remainder of the 2026 season on September 4, 2026.