Republic FC Make a Splash in the Attack Signing Forster Ajago

Republic FC has announced another offseason acquisition with Forster Ajago coming to Sacramento. This acquisition is pending the receipt of a P-1 Visa and ITA. This is also pending league and federation approval.

Ajago had a productive 2025 season. The striker was part of Lexington SC's debut season in the USL Championship, on loan from Real Salt Lake. He led the Greens with seven goals off of eighteen shots on target. And while he wasn't with Lexington, he scored two goals in eight appearances with Real Salt Lake.

Forster got his pro debut in 2024 with Nashville SC. There, he got a brace in the opening round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. And he spent some time on loan with MLS NEXT PRO side Huntsville SC, grabbing 10 goal contributions in 13 appearances.

And he has a history of goal-scoring dating back to his college career. He first got his start in his native Ghana, featuring for the nation's U17 team. From there, he moved to the United States and attended the University of Delaware and the University of Dayton. But he got his breakout year at Duke. He led the Blue Devils in goals and shots on target, scoring 14 goals from 28 shots on target. And that earned him a slew of honors with Second Team All-America, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinals, and three ACC Offensive Player of the Week selections. This led to Duke being named to the NCAA Tournament before being upset by Western Michigan.

Republic FC Neill Collins on the acquisition: "Adding to our attack has been a top priority and Forster is exactly the type of player that is going to help us score more goals in 2026. He is a young, physical player who can be clinical in front of goal and we look forward to welcoming him to Sacramento.”

Forster Ajago on coming to Sacramento: "I’m incredibly excited and honored to join Sacramento Republic and get to work with this talented group. I can’t wait to get on the pitch, score goals and give everything I have for the Indomitable City as we fight for another Championship.”

Ajago will be occupying the number 9 spot in the Republic attack. He is the target forward that players like Jack Gurr will try to find with crosses and through balls into the box. Think of him as similar to Sebastian Herrera's playstyle in the attack. Ajago has the physicality to battle keepers in the air, but can also finish with his feet. The Republic attack is undergoing a rebuild this offseason under Coach Neill Collins. And despite the number of scoring opportunities the Republic generates, they can't seem to find a person to consistently convert those chances. Over the past seven regular season campaigns, the Republic have ranked in the top 10 in the league for shots 5 times. Over the same span, they ranked in the top 10 in the league for goals only twice. The Republic has had only four double-digit goal scorers over those seven seasons: Kieran Phillips with 12 goals in 2024, Russell Cicerone with 17 goals in 2023, and both Cameron Iwasa and Thomas Enevoldsen with 17 and 15 goals, respectively, in 2019. This is the target I want to set for the Republic's attack: rank in the top 10 in goals and have a double-digit goalscorer. And with kind of a blank slate in the attack for Neill Collins to work with, the signing of Forster Ajago lets us see how he will go about addressing these issues in the front line. Ajago has the track record of being a consistent goalscorer who can single-handedly win you a game. And the Sacramento faithful will be hoping that record continues.

Welcome to the club, Forster!

Coach Neill shares what makes Forster Ajago the kind of player who belongs in Sacramento.🎙️

"He wants to develop his career here, and that’s what we really want, every player to want to be here." pic.twitter.com/sAwWrx4CE0

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) December 9, 2025

(Photo thanks to Sacramento Republic FC)