Jonathan Bamba
{{Short description|Ivorian footballer (born 1996)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jonathan Bamba
| image = Jonathan Bamba Paris FC.JPG
| caption = Bamba playing for Paris FC in 2016
| full_name = Jonathan Fousseni Bamba
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|3|26|df=y}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur49844.html|title=Jonathan Bamba (Celta Vigo)|website=L'Équipe}}
| birth_place = Alfortville, France
| height = 1.75 m{{cite web |url=https://rccelta.es/en/jugadores/jonathan-bamba/ |title=Jonathan Bamba |publisher=RC Celta de Vigo |access-date=10 February 2024}}
| position = Left winger, attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Chicago Fire
| clubnumber = 19
| youthyears1 = 2002–2005
| youthclubs1 = CA Paris
| youthyears2 = 2005–2011
| youthclubs2 = UJA Alfortville
| youthyears3 = 2011–2015
| youthclubs3 = Saint-Étienne
| years1 = 2013–2015
| clubs1 = Saint-Étienne B
| caps1 = 51
| goals1 = 12
| years2 = 2015–2018
| clubs2 = Saint-Étienne
| caps2 = 42
| goals2 = 8
| years3 = 2016
| clubs3 = → Paris FC (loan)
| caps3 = 14
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2016
| clubs4 = → Sint-Truiden (loan)
| caps4 = 8
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2017
| clubs5 = → Angers (loan)
| caps5 = 16
| goals5 = 3
| years6 = 2018–2023
| clubs6 = Lille
| caps6 = 167
| goals6 = 27
| years7 = 2023–2025
| clubs7 = Celta Vigo
| caps7 = 39
| goals7 = 3
| years8 = 2025–
| clubs8 = Chicago Fire
| caps8 = 17
| goals8 = 3
| nationalyears1 = 2011
| nationalteam1 = France U16
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2013
| nationalteam2 = France U18
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2015–2016
| nationalteam3 = France U20
| nationalcaps3 = 7
| nationalgoals3 = 2
| nationalyears4 = 2017–2019
| nationalteam4 = France U21
| nationalcaps4 = 21
| nationalgoals4 = 5
| nationalyears5 = 2023–
| nationalteam5 = Ivory Coast
| nationalcaps5 = 10
| nationalgoals5 = 1
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|CIV}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's football}}
{{Medal|Competition|Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Medal|W|2023 Ivory Coast|}}
| club-update = 14 June 2025
| nationalteam-update = 26 March 2024
}}
Jonathan Fousseni Bamba (born 26 March 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a left winger or attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire.{{Soccerway|id=jonathan-bamba/312250|name=Jonathan Bamba|access-date=31 August 2021}} Born in France, he plays for the Ivory Coast national team.
Club career
=Saint-Étienne=
Jonathan Fousseni Bamba is a graduate of Saint-Étienne youth academy, which he joined in 2011.
Bamba made his Ligue 1 debut on 25 January 2015 against Paris Saint-Germain replacing Yohan Mollo after 82 minutes in a 0–1 home defeat. During the summer of 2015 he scored against Ajax Amsterdam in a pre-season friendly. On 20 September 2015, he started in the Ligue 1 match against Nantes and scored in the 26th minute to register his first competitive goal for Saint-Étienne's first team in a 2–0 home win.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/01/25/france/ligue-1/association-sportive-de-saint-etienne-loire/paris-saint-germain-fc/1687137/|title=Saint-Étienne vs. PSG - 25 January 2015 - Soccerway|publisher=soccerway.com|access-date=2015-01-26}}
On 18 January 2016, Bamba joined Ligue 2 club Paris FC on loan until the end of the 2015-16 season, with Paris FC not given an option to buy him when the loan expired.{{cite web|url=http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2016/jonathan-bamba-to-join-paris-fc-on-loan/|title=Jonathan Bamba to join Paris FC on loan|publisher=Get French Football News|date=18 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Bilel-moshni-angers-et-jonathan-bamba-saint-etienne-au-paris-fc/625865|title=Bilel Moshni (Angers) et Jonathan Bamba (Saint-Etienne) au Paris FC|publisher=L'Équipe|date=18 January 2016}} Bamba was loaned to Belgian First Division A club Sint-Truiden in the summer of 2016. However Sint-Truiden sent him back early to Saint-Etienne during the winter break of the 2016–17 season. On 4 January 2017, Bamba was loaned to Ligue 1 club Angers until the end of the 2016-17 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transfert-jonathan-bamba-prete-a-angers/765698|title=Transfert : Jonathan Bamba prêté à Angers|
publisher=L'Équipe|date=4 January 2017}}
On 24 September 2017, Bamba scored Saint-Étienne's second equalizing goal from the penalty spot in a 2–2 Ligue 1 home draw against Rennes to register his fourth Ligue 1 goal (three of which were penalties) of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/saint-etienne-come-from-behind-twice-in-rennes-draw.htm|title=Saint-Étienne come from behind twice in Rennes draw|publisher=www.ligue1.com|date=24 September 2017}}
=Lille=
File:FC Salzburg gegen OSC Lille (Cl-Gruppenphase 29. September 2021) 76.jpg against Salzburg in 2021]]
On 2 July 2018, Bamba signed a five-year deal with Lille OSC.{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/En-fin-de-contrat-a-saint-etienne-jonathan-bamba-signe-a-lille/918083|title=En fin de contrat à Saint-Etienne, Jonathan Bamba signe à Lille|publisher=L'Équipe|date=2 July 2018}} On 11 August 2018, Bamba made his competitive debut for Lille and scored the final goal of the match in the 3–1 Ligue 1 home win over Stade Rennais. Two weeks later, he played his third Ligue 1 match for Lille and took his 2018–19 Ligue 1 goal tally to three when he scored two goals in the 3–0 Ligue 1 home win over Guingamp.{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/bamba-doubles-up-as-lille-take-down-guingamp.htm|title=Bamba doubles up as Lille take down Guingamp|publisher=www.ligue1.com|date=26 August 2018}} On 30 September, Bamba scored two goals (including a penalty) in the final six minutes of the match in the 3–0 Ligue 1 home win over Marseille.{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/lille-stun-marseille-to-move-up-to-second.htm|title=Lille stun Marseille to move up to second|publisher=www.ligue1.com|date=30 September 2018}} On 6 October, he took his 2018–19 Ligue 1 goal tally to seven (he had scored only seven Ligue 1 goals during the entire 2017–18 season) when he scored two goals again and assisted Nicolas Pépé's goal in a 3–1 Ligue 1 home win over Saint-Étienne.{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/lille-sink-saint-etienne-to-go-second.htm|title=Lille sink Saint-Etienne to go second|publisher=www.ligue1.com|date=6 October 2018}}
After a cancelled 2019–20 Ligue 1 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bamba became confirmed as a regular starter, as Lille won their fourth league title during the 2020–21 season, being in the field in all league games.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/24/lille-ligue-1-title-decade-christophe-galtier|title=Lille hold their nerve to clinch their first Ligue 1 title for a decade|work=The Guardian|date=23 May 2021|access-date=24 May 2021}}
During the 2021–22 Lille OSC season, he participated in the 1–0 win against PSG in the Trophée des Champions, with the club winning that trophy for the first time ever.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12370362/lille-1-0-paris-saint-germain-les-dogues-clinch-first-french-super-cup|title=Lille 1–0 Paris Saint-Germain: Les Dogues clinch first French Super Cup|website=Sky Sports|date=1 August 2021|access-date=1 August 2021}} Later, he helped the team to get out of the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League group stage and played against Chelsea in round of 16.{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/football/live/2022/03/16/lille-chelsea-en-direct-suivez-le-match-de-la-ligue-des-champions-entre-les-dogues-et-les-blues_6117806_1616938.html |title=A nouveau battu par Chelsea, Lille éliminé de la Ligue des champions en huitièmes de finale |date=16 March 2022 |website=Le Monde |access-date=27 August 2022}}
=Celta=
On 18 July 2023, Bamba signed with La Liga club Celta.{{cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Libre-jonathan-bamba-rejoint-le-celta-vigo-pour-3-ans/1408887|title=Libre, Jonathan Bamba rejoint le Celta Vigo pour 3 ans|trans-title=Free, Jonathan Bamba joins Celta Vigo for 3 years|language=fr|publisher=L'Équipe|date=18 July 2023|access-date=18 July 2023}}
=Chicago Fire=
On 21 January 2025, Bamba moved to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire on a three-year deal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/chicago-fire-fc-acquires-winger-jonathan-bamba-as-designated-player|title=Chicago Fire FC Acquires Winger Jonathan Bamba as Designated Player | Chicago Fire FC|website=chicagofirefc}}{{Cite web|last=Calabrese|first=Alex|date=20 January 2025 |title=Chicago Fire Announce Jonathan Bamba Signing|url=https://meninred97.com/chicago-fire-announce-jonathan-bamba-signing/|access-date=26 January 2025|website=MIR97 Media}}
International career
Bamba was born in France and is of Ivorian descent.{{cite web|date=17 August 2016|title=Jonathan Bamba: le jeune ivoirien à Saint Trond|url=http://www.africatopsports.com/2016/08/17/jonathan-bamba-jeune-ivoirien-a-saint-trond/|access-date=4 April 2020|website=africatopsports.com|publisher=Africa Top Sports|language=fr}} He is a dual-national, and was able to choose to represent either France or Ivory Coast internationally.
File:Joueur ivoirien et guinéen 26.jpg
After representing France at various youth levels, he switched his allegiance to the latter in March 2023, as he accepted a call-up to the Ivorian senior national team for two Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Comoros.{{Cite web |date=15 March 2023 |title=Elim. CAN 2023 (3è et 4è CIV-COM & COM-CIV) : Jean Louis Gasset dévoile les 23 Eléphants |url=http://www.fifciv.com/?q=elim-can-2023-3%C3%A8-et-4%C3%A8-civ-com-com-civ-jean-louis-gasset-d%C3%A9voile-les-23-el%C3%A9phants |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=Fédération Ivoirienne de Football}}
In December 2023, Bamba was named in the Ivory Coast's squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/federationivoiriennedefootball/posts/pfbid02GVkTYXjhv2yBQizHRNxngTGoMrFLXgcUg3kQeXgEk3gZ158w6cxqRFjDBXCCU3ihl|title=LA LISTE|publisher=Ivorian Football Federation|date=28 December 2023|access-date=16 January 2024|language=pt|via=Facebook}}{{cite web |last=Sahi |first=Tristan |date=28 December 2023 |title=Côte d'Ivoire: voici les 27 Eléphants de Gasset, Zaha et des ténors font leurs adieux à la CAN 2023 |url=https://www.7info.ci/cote-divoire-voici-les-27-elephants-de-gasset-zaha-et-des-tenors-font-leurs-adieux-a-la-can-2023/ |access-date=16 January 2024 |publisher=7info |language=fr}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cafonline.com/media/ow2obxrw/c%C3%B4te-divoire.pdf|title=CÔTE D'IVOIRE|publisher=Confederation of African Football|date=5 January 2024}} He was in the starting XI for Ivory Coast's 2–0 win over Guinea-Bissau in the tournament's opening match.{{cite web|url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/match-centre?competition=190&season=2023&match=2411905|title=Côte d'Ivoire 2-0 Guinea-Bissau|access-date=16 January 2024|website=Confederation of African Football}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played 14 June 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de France, Belgian Cup, Copa del Rey, U.S. Open Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de la Ligue}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Saint-Étienne
|rowspan="3"|Ligue 1 |3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16
|5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 1 | ||
| 2017–18
|34 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 8 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!42 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 9 | |
| Paris FC (loan)
|14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 0 | |||
| Sint-Truiden (loan)
|8 | 2 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 3 | ||||
| Angers (loan)
|Ligue 1 |16 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 3 | |||
| rowspan="6"|Lille
|rowspan="5"|Ligue 1 |38 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 41 | 14 | |||
| 2019–20
|26 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=UCL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 1 | ||
| 2020–21
|38 | 6 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 8{{efn|name=UEL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 48 | 7 | |||
| 2021–22
|31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Trophée des Champions}} | 0 | 39 | 1 | ||
| 2022–23
|34 | 6 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 6 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!167||27||10||1||2||0||20||1||1||0||200||29 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Celta
|rowspan="2"|La Liga |27 | 3 | 1 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 5 | ||||
| 2024–25
|12 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!39||3||3||3||0||0||0||0||0||0||42||6 | ||||||||||||
| Chicago Fire
|2025 |17 | 3 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 19 | 3 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!303 | 46 | 26 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 358 | 53 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Lille
- Ligue 1: 2020–21
- Trophée des Champions: 2021{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12370362/lille-1-0-paris-saint-germain-les-dogues-clinch-first-french-super-cup|title=Lille beat PSG to clinch first French Super Cup|publisher=Sky Sports|date=1 August 2021|access-date=1 August 2021}}
Ivory Coast
- Africa Cup of Nations: 2023{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Rob |date=11 February 2024 |title=Nigeria 1–2 Ivory Coast |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68196261 |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=BBC Sport}}
Individual
- UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: April 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.unfp.org/2019/05/jonathan-bamba-joueur-du-mois-davril/|title=Jonathan Bamba, joueur du mois d'avril !|publisher=UNFP|language=fr|date=13 May 2019|access-date=19 November 2020}} October 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.unfp.org/2020/11/jonathan-bamba-joueur-du-mois-doctobre-de-la-ligue-1-uber-eats/|title=Jonathan Bamba, joueur du mois d'octobre de la Ligue 1 Uber Eats !|publisher=UNFP|language=fr|date=19 November 2020|access-date=19 November 2020}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://rccelta.es/en/jugadores/jonathan-bamba/ Profile] at the RC Celta de Vigo website
- {{FFF player|8942-bamba-jonathan}}
- {{FFF male|2328124995-jonathan-bamba|archive=20190424021806}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Chicago Fire FC squad}}
{{Ivory Coast squad 2023 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bamba, Jonathan}}
Category:People from Alfortville
Category:Footballers from Val-de-Marne
Category:Ivorian men's footballers
Category:Ivory Coast men's international footballers
Category:Naturalized citizens of France
Category:French men's footballers
Category:France men's under-21 international footballers
Category:France men's youth international footballers
Category:French sportspeople of Ivorian descent
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Black French sportspeople
Category:AS Saint-Étienne players
Category:Sint-Truidense V.V. players
Category:RC Celta de Vigo players
Category:Chicago Fire FC players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:French expatriate men's footballers
Category:Ivorian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Ivorian expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:Ivorian expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:2023 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:Africa Cup of Nations–winning players
Category:21st-century French sportsmen