Joshua Bolma
{{Short description|Ghanaian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Josh Bolma
|image =
|caption =
|fullname = Joshua Bolma
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|4|10|df=y}}
|birth_place = Accra, Ghana
|position = Midfielder
|currentclub = Houston Dynamo 2
|clubnumber = 14
|youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2017
|youthclubs1 = Rising Stars Academy
|youthyears2 = 2017–2021
|youthclubs2 = Black Rock FC
| collegeyears1 = 2021–2022
| college1 = Maryland Terrapins
| collegecaps1 = 38
| collegegoals1 = 6
|years1 = 2021
|clubs1 = Ocean City Nor'easters
|caps1 = 1
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2022
|clubs2 = Westchester Flames
|caps2 = 7
|goals2 = 3
|years3 = 2023–2024
|clubs3 = New England Revolution
|caps3 = 1
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2023–2024
|clubs4 = New England Revolution II
|caps4 = 43
|goals4 = 3
|years5 = 2025–
|clubs5 = Houston Dynamo 2
|caps5 = 0
|goals5 = 0
|nationalyears1 =
|nationalteam1 =
|nationalcaps1 =
|nationalgoals1 =
|club-update = 19:08, 25 November 2024 (UTC)
}}
Joshua Bolma (born 10 April 2002) is a Ghanaian footballer who currently plays for MLS Next Pro club Houston Dynamo 2.
Early life
Bolma was born in Accra, Ghana.{{Cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/ghanaian-youngster-joshua-bolma-selected-by-new-england-revolution-in-2023-msl-superdraft?amp=1|title=Ghanaian youngster Joshua Bolma selected by New England Revolution in 2023 MSL SuperDraft|website=Ghanasoccernet.com}} He moved from Ghana to the United States after graduating from the Rising Stars of Africa Academy in Ghana and was awarded a scholarship to attend the South Kent High School in Connecticut.{{Cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/ghanaian-youngster-joshua-bolma-ranked-the-best-young-talent-in-usa-college-football?amp=1|title= Ghanaian youngster Joshua Bolma ranked the best young talent in USA College Football|website=Ghanasoccernet.com}} He attended the University of Maryland where he played soccer for the Maryland Terrapins and was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2021 and earned First Team All-Big Ten honors as both a freshman and sophomore.{{Cite web|url= https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/21/sports/revolution-trade-up-select-marylands-joshua-bolma-add-bcs-victor-souza-mls-superdraft/|title=Revolution trade up to select Maryland's Joshua Bolma, add BC's Victor Souza in MLS SuperDraft|website=Boston Globe}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebentmusket.com/platform/amp/revolution-transfer-news-rumors/2022/12/21/23521794/joshua-bolma-revolution-draftee-mls-superdraft-2023|title=Versatility is a strength for Revs draft pick Joshua Bolma|website=Thebentmusket.com}} He was also only the fourth player in Maryland history to earn multiple first-team All-Big Ten honors.{{Cite web|url=https://sbisoccer.com/2022/12/mohammed-fodrey-bolma-headline-2023-mls-draft-generation-adidas-class?amp=1|title= Mohammed, Fodrey, Bolma headline 2023 MLS Draft Generation adidas class|website=SBISoccer.com}}
Career
Entering the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, New England Revolution had the tenth overall pick. However they traded up with the San Jose Earthquakes to take Bolma as the 4th pick overall in the draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/morning-sports-update/2022/12/22/joshua-bolma-revolution-trade-mls-superdraft-bruce-arena-quotes/?amp=1|title=Why the Revolution traded up to select Joshua Bolma in the MLS SuperDraft|website=Boston.com}} They gave San Jose their No. 10 overall pick, $200,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM) and $50k GAM in 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/news/new-england-revolution-select-joshua-bolma-after-mls-superdraft-trade-with-san-j|title=New England Revolution select Joshua Bolma after MLS SuperDraft trade with San Jose Earthquakes|website=Mlssoccer.com}} Bolma signed on to a Generation Adidas contract and New England head coach Bruce Arena was quoted as saying “Josh Bolma is a really good, quick attacking player. He can play a number of positions and we are going to try him as a No. 8 in the center midfield.”{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/12/21/the-revolution-trade-up-in-mls-superdraft-for-a-big-10-midfielder/|title=The Revolution trade up in MLS SuperDraft for a Big 10 midfielder|website=Boston Herald}}
Bolma made his MLS debut on July 15, 2023 as a 64th minute substitute in the Revolution's 4-0 win over D.C. United in front of a crowd of 29,884 at Gillette Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/recap-revs-win-fifth-straight-in-foxborough-9-0-3-at-home-4-0-win-over-dc |title=Recap: Revs win fifth straight in Foxborough, improve to 9-0-3 at home with 4-0 romp over D.C. |website=www.revolutionsoccer.net |accessdate=July 19, 2023 |date=July 15, 2023}}
New England declined Bolma's contract option following their 2024 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/new-england-revolution-announce-year-end-roster-moves-2024|title=New England Revolution announce year-end roster moves | New England Revolution|website=revolutionsoccer.net}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{2023 MLS SuperDraft}}
{{RevolutionFirstPick}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bolma, Joshua}}
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:New England Revolution draft picks
Category:New England Revolution players
Category:Footballers from Accra
Category:Ghanaian men's footballers
Category:Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Maryland Terrapins men's soccer players
Category:Ocean City Nor'easters players
Category:Westchester Flames players
Category:USL League Two players