Minnesota United sign Cameroonian attacker

Minnesota United have signed Frantz Pangop, a 24-year-old attacking midfielder from Cameroon, the club announced Tuesday, Jan. 9. He is the first international signing for the Loons this off-season.

Pangop will be a transfer from the first team of Union Douala in Cameroon and has two career appearances with the Cameroon national team. He scored the sealing goal in the 88th minute of Cameroon's 2-0 win over Algeria in a World Cup qualifier on Oct. 7.

"He's a natural winger, but he comes inside a lot, so he can play anywhere along the attacking positions," United assistant coach Ian Fuller told the Pioneer Press. "He generally plays on the left, but he's a right footed player and likes come in off the line and play midfield."

Fuller said Pangop, who is 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, can be dangerous for opponents with his speed and is at a good age where he's youthful but not too young. "I think he will be exciting for us," he added.

When Fuller went to Cameroon, Pangop was on the list. "He caught my eye and we needed to inject some pace into the team," Fuller said. "The finances were right and the agent worked well with us. The kid wanted to come."

Pangop is one of two Cameroonian players expected to join United this offseason. The second has yet to be announced. Goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock, who played for the Loons in 2016, is also from Cameroon.

"I think (Pangop) is one of a few that we are going to bring in," Fuller said. "We are just being ultra patient and we want to get it right here. We're not done yet and we are looking forward to the next few steps."