Cedric Bakambu departs San Diego FC after nine games as housing case emerges

Cedric Bakambu has left San Diego FC after only two months in Major League Soccer, shortly after details emerged of a federal lawsuit in which the striker and his wife allege they faced housing discrimination because they have children.

The 35-year-old joined San Diego FC on 3 September 2026 and announced his departure on 6 November in a post on Instagram.

“I genuinely hoped to continue this adventure, but some decisions are beyond our control,” Bakambu wrote.

According to figures reported by ESPN after it obtained a copy of the complaint, Bakambu made nine appearances for the club, scoring four goals and providing one assist.

The lawsuit was filed by Bakambu and his wife, Anne-Laure Huber, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. They accuse a real estate agency, two property owners and two real estate agents of discriminating against them because of their “familial status”.

The couple say two attempts to rent homes in the area fell through because their five children were expected to live with them.

Details of the housing dispute

The first case involved a house in San Diego measuring about 528 square metres, which was advertised for $17,500 a month.

During negotiations, the issue of installing a safety barrier around the swimming pool was raised because of the children’s ages. Bakambu and his wife proposed alternative solutions and eventually offered to pay for the barrier themselves.

They also offered other assurances, including paying a full year’s rent in advance, but their proposal was not accepted.

The complaint says the property was subsequently withdrawn from the market after Bakambu’s agent raised concerns that the terms of the negotiations could breach fair housing regulations.

The second attempt concerned a property in Rancho Santa Fe, California, measuring about 585 square metres. The couple offered $23,500 a month but received no response.

The house later appeared on the market at $20,000 a month before being withdrawn on 6 November.

Bakambu and Huber allege they were not given an equal opportunity to rent either property because of their children. They also claim the treatment they received during the second attempt was linked to their objection to what happened in the first negotiations.

The complaint says the family had to pay for temporary accommodation, resulting in additional costs and prolonged housing instability. They also described difficulties arranging their children’s schooling and activities, as well as humiliation and emotional distress.

The couple are seeking financial compensation and other legal remedies under the United States Fair Housing Act and California anti-discrimination laws.

Neither Major League Soccer nor San Diego FC is named in the lawsuit. The allegations remain claims made by the couple, and no court has established liability.

Bakambu announced his departure days before the lawsuit details were made public. There is no confirmed information that the property dispute was the direct reason for his exit.

Bakambu began his career with Sochaux before playing for Bursaspor, Villarreal, Beijing Guoan, Olympiacos, Marseille and Real Betis. He represents DR Congo and played for them at the 2026 World Cup before moving to Major League Soccer in September.