AS Monaco has added forward Folarin Balogun to its UEFA Europa Conference League squad, a roster adjustment following an injury to teammate Ansu Fati, SO FOOT.com reported. The change means the United States international could feature as early as Thursday against Danish side Nordsjælland.
How the UEFA squad rule opened the door for Balogun
Balogun had not been registered in Monaco’s initial European pool after spending the final weeks of the summer transfer window as a potential departure. That situation shifted when Fati suffered a hamstring injury that required his removal from the UEFA list at least until January. Under tournament regulations, clubs can replace any player sidelined for more than two months.
Monaco previously utilized the exact same rule in the UEFA Champions League last season, swapping Denis Zakaria for Krépin Diatta, according to La Diagonale. The Principality club enters Thursday’s fixture following opening European group-stage wins over CSKA Sofia and Freiburg.
❗️ AS Monaco has included Folarin Balogun in their UEFA Conference League list as he replaces the injured Ansu Fati. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2UupmcGvkj
Fati faces an extended recovery timeline
While the regulation change solves a registration dilemma for Monaco’s attack—bolstered further by Balogun scoring his first goal of the season Sunday against Paris FC—it compounds a difficult stretch for Fati. Yahoo Actualités reported that the former Barcelona forward was forced off just 15 minutes into a Ligue 1 match against Lille after feeling pain at the back of his right leg.
Initial projections from La Diagonale indicate the injury could keep Fati out for up to eight weeks, pushing his competitive return past the turn of the year into 2027. The setback halts momentum for the Spanish international, who had recently returned from a four-month layoff and scored twice in three matches.
Balogun returns to European contention
For Balogun, the administrative shift offers an immediate path back to continental competition. After a summer where a transfer away from the Stade Louis II appeared probable, the American striker has worked his way back into manager Adi Hütter’s plans, capped by his weekend strike in the capital.
Monaco travels to face Nordsjælland on Thursday, giving Balogun his first opportunity to contribute to the club’s European campaign.
