Former Bethlehem Steel forward Faris reportedly signs with Marseille

Former Bethlehem Steel FC forward Faris Moumbagna has reportedly signed with Ligue 1 side Marseille on a multi-million dollar transfer.

Moumbagna, who just went by his first name Faris during his Steel FC playing days, spent two seasons playing for the Philadelphia Union reserve team in 2018 and 2019. He scored 14 goals in 40 appearances after signing his first pro contract with the team in July 2018. He was recruited to the team from Montverde Academy in Florida.

Faris was one of two players the Steel recruited from Montverde in 2018. Michee Ngalina was the other. Ngalina is currently playing in Norway with Haugesand on loan from Göztepe in Turkey.

Moumbagna has played in Norway with Bodø/Glimt since January and has 15 goals in 28 appearances for the top flight Norwegian team. He made his senior national team debut for Cameroon in November and came off the bench for his Africa Cup of Nations debut on Monday.

Faris departed the Union organization after his contract expired at the end of the 2019 season.

His big signing – reportedly around $10.1 million – is the latest headline for players who were part of that Steel FC team. Captain James Chambers was recently promoted to head coach of the Colorado Springs Switchblades and center back Brandon Aubrey had a standout rookie season as a kicker for the Dallas Cowboys, making the Pro Bowl.

🔵⚪️🩺 Faris Moumbagna will undergo medical tests for Olympique Marseille today in Ivory Coast, then deal will be completed.

Bodø-Glimt will receive €8m, contract until 2028. pic.twitter.com/ncwh85mOLh

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 17, 2024