United States forward Folarin Balogun has officially joined Klutch Sports after enjoying a breakout performance at the World Cup, which significantly boosted his visibility both on and off the field.
Klutch Sports, co-founded by Rich Paul (LeBron James’ long-time business partner and representative of top athletes like James, Anthony Davis, and Jalen Hurts), announced Balogun’s signing on Monday.
Balogun shone as one of the standout players for the U.S. during the tournament, scoring three goals as the team advanced to the round of 16 before being eliminated by Belgium.
The striker, previously with AS Monaco, found himself in the midst of one of the tournament’s notable controversies when a red card issued against him during the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina was later overturned, allowing him to play against Belgium.
“Folarin Balogun is among the most gifted and impactful players in the world of football today,” Rich Paul stated, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “His unyielding determination and cultural influence embody the excellence we aim to bring to the sport. We are thrilled to have him join KLUTCH and look forward to what we can achieve together.”
Balogun is the first soccer player to sign directly with Klutch Sports. The agency expanded into soccer in 2024 through the acquisition of the European agency ROOF, which manages athletes like Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, Kai Havertz, and Mohammed Kudus, in addition to various coaches.
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This signing comes as Balogun transitions into a critical stage in his career following the World Cup, which boosted his international standing. He previously played for Arsenal and has been rumored to be seeking a move back to the Premier League or to other clubs across Europe.
During the World Cup, the 25-year-old scored three goals, including two against Paraguay, and netted another against Bosnia-Herzegovina, a match that generated political debate after a disciplinary review led to his red card being overturned.
Previously, Balogun was represented by the UK-based Elite Project Group.