LIGA MX
Boli poised to pen deal with Atlético San Luis
Franck Boli is a free agent after leaving the Portland Timbers and is close to reaching an agreement with Gustavo Leal’s team.
Atlético San Luis are still adding the final pieces to their squad in time for the start of the Clausura 2024. In the new tournament, Gustavo Leal’s team will be attempting to build on the positive sensations they displayed in the Apertura 2023 in which they reached the semi-finals. San Luis are looking to improve on that finish this time around and are believed to have secured a reinforcement to their front line in Franck Boli - a player who is set to join as a free agent.
According to reports by ESPN, Atlético San Luis may have already tied up a deal with the Ivorian centre-forward who spent last year in the MLS with the Portland Timbers. Boli is currently without a club after his contract with Portland expired on New Year’s Day. His incorporation would allow San Luis to fill the last vacancy in their quota of foreign players for the next tournament. Since last year, Liga MX clubs are allowed to have nine players not trained in Mexico included in their squad but a maximum of seven foreign players on the pitch at any one time.
Atlético San Luis start the new campaign away at Mazatlán on Friday 12 January.
Boli is ready for a new adventure in the Liga MX after having built up experience in several difference leagues and countries. He has played in the United States, Norway, Hungary and China - accumulating 112 goals throughout his career. His most successful stint was with Norwegian club Stabaek with whom he racked up 58 goals in three years, while he completed his brief spell in MLS with seven goals.
Boli in the Champions League
Perhaps the pinnacle of his career so far was playing in football’s most important club tournament, the Champions League with Ferencváros in 2020/21. The Hungarian side were drawn in Group G alongside Dynamo Kiev, Barcelona and Juventus; Boli made his debut appearance in the competition in the 5-1 defeat to Barça and starred in all but one of the group games, scoring two goals - one each in the games against Dynamo and Juve.
With Ferencváros, he also played in the qualifying phase of the Champions League and in two editions of the Europa League. According to specialist site Transfermarkt, his current market value is estimated at one million euros.