Revolution add Ivory Coast International Defender

By Greg Johnstone
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Updated: January 27, 2017

Two days after Antonio Mlinar Delamea was introduced to the media, the Revolution announced the latest addition to their defense, Benjamin Angoua. Angoua, formerly of EA Guingamp of Ligue 1 in France, is be the second of two international signings hinted at by the New England Revolution president Brian Biello earlier in the week. Angoua joins the team on loan from EA Guingamp, where his contracted is reported to run through June 2018, for the 2017 MLS season with the option to transfer permanently following the season.

Angoua, 30, has played at Guingamp since joining the team on a free transfer in the summer of 2014, making a total of 61 appearances. Angoua had appeared in 11 games for Guingamp in the 2016-2017 season, which includes seven matches in Ligue 1, though he found himself in a rotation system, only starting in three of the last 13 league matches.

“With Benjamin’s experience, adding him to the Revolution was an important step for our club this offseason,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said in a club release. “We began this offseason with the goal of bringing in veteran players who are ready to contribute right away, so we are very pleased to have Benjamin with us as we head to preseason training in Arizona.”

Before joining Guingamp, Angoua previous played for FC Valenciennes (France), Budapest Honved (Hungary), and Africa Sports National (Ivory Coast). Between FC Valenciennes and EA Guingamp, Angoua has played in Ligue 1 since 2010, appearing in 152 matches and scoring 4 goals.

In addition to his club career, Angoua also has made 17 appearances for Ivory Coast from 2008 through 2014, which have included appearances in the 2008 Olympics games, World Cup Qualification, and African Cup of Nations. Angoua was also on the Ivory Coast’s 2010 World Cup squad, but did not make an appearance.

This is the second international signing of the week via Targeted Allocation Money by the Revolution, along with Antonio Mlinar Delamea. The utilization of Targeted Allocation Money in the transfer of these players to bring them in above the MLS maximum salary charge strongly implies Delamea and Angoua are expected to be the starting centerback pairing for the Revolution in 2017.