Folarin Balogun

Folarin Jerry Balogun (born 3 July 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Arsenal. Born in the United States, he represents England at youth international level.

Club Career

Balogun joined Arsenal at the age of eight after being scouted while playing for his previous Sunday League side, Aldersbrook. Before trialling with Arsenal, he had trialled with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and nearly signed for them.

He signed a professional contract in February 2019.

In July 2020, after failing to agree a new contract with Arsenal, he was linked with a transfer away from the club, including a proposed £8 million sale to Brentford.

He made his senior debut in the Europa League on 29 October 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 74th minute in a group stage match against Dundalk.

He scored his first senior goal on 26 November 2020, in a Europa League group stage match against Molde.

On 26 April 2021, Balogun signed a new long-term contract with the club.

Balogun made his Premier League debut in a 2–0 loss against newly promoted Brentford on 13 August 2021.

On 12 January 2022, he joined EFL Championship club Middlesbrough on a loan deal until the end of the season.

International Career

Born in the United States to Nigerian parents and raised in England, Balogun is eligible to represent all three nations at international level. After playing for England at the under-17 level and appearing in the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, he accepted a call up from the United States under-18 national team in August 2018 for a training camp and a tournament in the Czech Republic. He played in all four of the United States' games in the Vaclav Jezek Youth Tournament and scored twice.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Фоларин Балоган (russian)