Jonathan Leko

Jonathan Kisolokele Leko (born 24 April 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Birmingham City.

He began his career with West Bromwich Albion, made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in 2015, and spent time on loan at Bristol City and Charlton Athletic. He joined Birmingham City in 2020, and returned to Charlton on loan in 2021.

Leko was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and grew up in England from the age of eight. He has represented England at all levels up to under-20.

Club Career

West Bromwich Albion

Leko joined West Bromwich Albion at the age of 11. According to the club's academy manager, Mark Harrison, he was "a bit of a rough diamond", but by the under-14s he had developed an understanding of the game and was showing considerable creative ability. He was included in the first team's 2015 pre-season tour of Austria, during which he came off the bench in a 3–1 loss against Red Bull Salzburg.

Leko made his competitive debut on 23 September 2015 as a 77th-minute substitute in a League Cup defeat to Norwich City. On 2 April 2016, he was named in the matchday squad against Sunderland, and came on for Saido Berahino in the 78th minute to make his Premier League debut at the age of 16 years and 344 days. When he took the field on 30 April against West Ham United, Leko became the first player born in 1999 to start a Premier League match. In the last match of the season, a 1–1 draw with Liverpool, he set up Salomon Rondon's goal with a solo run. Before the match, Leko received the club's Young Player of the Season award. On 28 June, he agreed terms on his first professional contract, a three-year deal lasting to June 2019.

He made nine Premier League appearances for West Bromwich Albion in 2016–17.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Джонатан Леко (russian)