Ascel Essengue Returns To Phoenix After Spending Most of 2025 with Rising
Phoenix Rising FC announced today it has signed Cameroonian defender Ascel Essengue on loan from LA Galaxy, pending league and federation approval.
The 23-year-old center back signed a first-team MLS contract with LA Galaxy prior to the start of the 2025 season following four impressive years with LA Galaxy’s second team (LA Galaxy II / Ventura County FC). Essengue initially joined Loudoun United FC on loan in March 2026 after previously spending the second half of the 2025 season on loan with Phoenix Rising FC.
During his time in Phoenix during the 2025 USL Championship campaign, Essengue became a dominant force in the back line, making 26 appearances and netting one goal. He later joined Loudoun United FC for the 2026 campaign, where he recorded 14 appearances (10 starts, 840 minutes played) across all competitions while maintaining an 88% pass completion rate and winning 62% of his duels.
A product of the Kadji Sports Academy in Douala, Cameroon, Essengue first arrived in the United States ahead of the 2021 season. He scored five goals in 80 appearances for Ventura County FC prior to joining the Galaxy first team.
ASCEL ESSENGUE BY THE NUMBERS:
- 50 USL Championship Appearances – Played 26 matches with Phoenix Rising FC (2025) and 14 matches with Loudoun United FC (2026).
- Maintained 88% pass completion rate during his 2026 campaign with Loudoun United FC.
- 6 goals and 2 assists across his professional career at Galaxy, Rising and Loudoun.
- Played 2,365 regular-season minutes in 2024, the third-highest total of any Ventura County FC player.
- He played the third most minutes for Rising in 2025.
- Initially joined the LA Galaxy Academy at the age of 15 before returning to Cameroon to join the Kadji Sports Academy
- Made 16 appearances (4 starts) for Kadji Sports Academy (Duoala, Cameroon)
- Signed first-team contract with LA Galaxy ahead of the 2025 MLS season
Transaction: Phoenix Rising FC Signs Ascel Essengue on loan pending league and federation approval.
Name: Ascel Essengue
Pronunciation: ah-SELL eh-SEN-geh
Position: Defender
DOB: April 30, 2003 (23)
Birthplace: Yaoundé, Cameroon
Former Club: LA Galaxy (MLS)
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
Hight: 170
