Theo Bair
{{short description|Canadian soccer player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Theo Bair
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Thelonius Bair
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|8|27}}
| birth_place = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| height = 1.91 m
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Auxerre
| clubnumber = 9
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Ottawa Royals
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Capital United
| youthyears3 = {{0|0000}}–2015
| youthclubs3 = West Ottawa SC
| youthyears4 = 2015–2018
| youthclubs4 = Vancouver Whitecaps FC
| years1 = 2019–2021
| clubs1 = Vancouver Whitecaps FC
| caps1 = 37
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 2021
| clubs2 = → HamKam (loan)
| caps2 = 17
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2022–2023
| clubs3 = St Johnstone
| caps3 = 34
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2023–2024
| clubs4 = Motherwell
| caps4 = 38
| goals4 = 15
| years5 = 2024–
| clubs5 = Auxerre
| caps5 = 29
| goals5 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2018
| nationalteam1 = Canada U20
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2018
| nationalteam2 = Canada U21
| nationalcaps2 = 4
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2021
| nationalteam3 = Canada U23
| nationalcaps3 = 4
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2020–
| nationalteam4 = Canada
| nationalcaps4 = 5
| nationalgoals4 = 1
| medaltemplates =
| club-update = May 19, 2025
| nationalteam-update = November 19, 2024
}}
Thelonius "Theo" Bair (born August 27, 1999) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club AJ Auxerre and the Canada national team.
Club career
=Youth=
Bair started his youth career with Ottawa Royals, before joining Capital United FC and West Ottawa SC before his move to Vancouver.{{cite web |title=Theo Bair Whitecaps FC profile |url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/players/theo-bair |website=whitecapsfc.com |publisher=Whitecaps FC |accessdate=April 11, 2019}}
=Vancouver Whitecaps FC=
On July 24, 2018, Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced that it would be signing Bair to a multi-year MLS homegrown pre-contract beginning in 2019.{{cite web |title=Whitecaps FC sign residency forward Bair |url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/post/2018/07/17/wfc-sign-bair |website=whitecapsfc.com |accessdate=April 11, 2019}} Bair made his Whitecaps FC and MLS debut on matchday 15 of the 2019 MLS season, coming off the bench in the 71st minute in a 2–1 home victory against FC Dallas.{{cite web |title=Whitecaps academy product Theo Bair moved by MLS debut |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/05/26/whitecaps-academy-product-theo-bair-moved-mls-debut-i-wanted-cry |website=mlssoccer.com |accessdate=June 11, 2019}} On August 11 against the Portland Timbers, He scored his first professional goal.{{cite web |url=https://www.eightysixforever.com/2019/8/11/20800514/bairs-wonder-goal-not-enough-to-lift-caps-over-timbers |date=August 11, 2019 |title=Bair's Wonder Goal Not Enough to Lift Caps Over Timbers |first=Samuel |last=Rowan |work=Eighty Six Forever}}
On August 6, 2021, Bair was loaned to Norwegian club HamKam for the remainder of the 2021 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/whitecaps-fc-loan-striker-theo-bair-to-norwegian-club-hamkam |title=Whitecaps FC loan striker Theo Bair to Norwegian club HamKam |publisher=Vancouver Whitecaps FC |date=August 6, 2021 |accessdate=August 6, 2021}} In his first appearance on August 18, Bair scored a goal in a 2–0 victory over Jerv.{{cite web |work=HA |title=Bair-show i første forsøk – HamKam imponerte mot Jerv |date=August 18, 2021 |url=https://www.h-a.no/2021/sport/hamkam/folg-jerv-hamkam-direkte-fra-kl-18-00-her/}} Bair would go on to make 17 appearances in the 1. divisjon, scoring 4 goals as HamKam were crowned champions and gained promotion to the 2022 Eliteserien.{{cite news |url=https://www.eurosport.no/fotball/obos-ligaen/2021/hamkam-vant-og-sikret-opprykket-til-eliteserien_sto8618070/story.shtml |title=HamKam vant og sikret opprykket til Eliteserien |work=Eurosport |date=November 6, 2021 |access-date=November 6, 2021 |language=no}} In December 2021, upon his return to Vancouver, the Whitecaps announced they had exercised Bair's contract option, keeping him at the club through 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/whitecaps-fc-announce-end-of-season-roster-decisions |date=December 2, 2021 |title=Whitecaps FC announce end of season roster decisions |work=Vancouver Whitecaps FC}}
=St Johnstone=
In January 2022, Bair was transferred to Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone for an undisclosed fee on a contract through the end of the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/news/article/theo-bair-signs-for-saints |title=Theo Bair signs for Saints |website=St Johnstone |date=January 31, 2022}} He made his debut on February 9 against St Mirren.{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/st-mirren-2-st-johnstone-26188549 |date=February 9, 2022 |title=St Mirren 2 St Johnstone 1: Perth Saints slip back to bottom of the Premiership |first=Matthew |last=Gallagher}} Bair scored his first goal for the club against Kilmarnock on October 5, 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/st-johnstone/3760378/4-st-johnstone-talking-points-kilmarnock-theo-bair/ |first=Eric |last=Nicolson |date=October 5, 2022 |title=4 St Johnstone talking points as Perth side brought back down to earth by Kilmarnock despite Theo Bair strike |work=The Courier}} In May 2023, St Johnstone announced Bair would be made available for transfer.{{cite web |url=https://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/news/article/squad-update-1 |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Squad Update}} On 4 July 2023, Bair and St Johnstone mutually agreed to terminate the contract.{{cite web |title=Theo Bair mutually agrees to terminate contract |url=https://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/news/article/theo-bair-mutually-agrees-to-terminate-contract |website=perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk |publisher=St Johnstone F.C. |access-date=1 August 2023 |date=4 July 2023}}
=Motherwell=
In August 2023, Motherwell announced the signing of Bair to a two-year contract.{{cite web |title=THEO BAIR MAKES SWITCH TO ML1 |url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2023/08/01/theo-bair-makes-switch-to-ml1/ |website=motherwellfc.co.uk |publisher=Motherwell F.C. |access-date=1 August 2023 |date=1 August 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://news.stv.tv/sport/motherwell-confirm-signing-of-canada-striker-theo-bair-on-two-year-deal |title=Motherwell confirm signing of Canada striker Theo Bair on two-year-deal |website=STV News |date=1 August 2023 |accessdate=1 August 2023 |first=Peter |last=Cassidy}} He made his debut on August 5 against Dundee and scored a goal in an eventual 1–1 draw.{{cite web |url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2023/08/05/dundee-1-1-motherwell/ |date=August 5, 2023 |work=Motherwell |title=MOTHERWELL KICKED OFF THE 23/24 CINCH PREMIERSHIP CAMPAIGN WITH A 1-1 DRAW AWAY TO DUNDEE}}
=Auxerre=
On July 16, 2024, newly-promoted side Auxerre announced the signing of Bair to a four-year deal.{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Ryan |date=2024-07-16 |title=Theo Bair joins AJ Auxerre as Motherwell bank significant fee for striker |url=https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/theo-bair-joins-aj-auxerre-29553681 |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Football Scotland |language=en}} He made his debut for the club on August 18, starting Auxerre's first match of the season against Nice.{{cite web |url=https://canadiansoccerdaily.com/2024/08/18/canada-striker-theo-bair-makes-ligue-1-debut-auxerre/ |first=Mitchell |last=Bailey |title=Canada striker Theo Bair makes Ligue 1 debut with Auxerre |work=Canadian Soccer Daily |date=August 18, 2024}}
International career
=Youth=
Born in Canada, Bair is of Jamaican descent.{{Cite web |url=https://thethirdsub.ca/2020/07/11/theo-bair-young-vancouver-whitecaps-forward-showing-poise-maturity-beyond-his-years-as-a-pro/ |title=Theo Bair: Young Vancouver Whitecaps forward showing poise, maturity beyond his years as a pro |date=July 12, 2020 |website=The Third Sub}} In 2018, he represented Canada at the U21 level at the 2018 Toulon Tournament.{{cite web |title=Theo Bair |url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/?pid=4238&t=profile& |publisher=Canada Soccer |accessdate=August 18, 2019}} He subsequently played for the Canadian U20 team at the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and, scoring a goal and two assists in five appearances. Bair was named to the Canadian U-23 provisional roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship on February 26, 2020,{{cite web |title=Canada Soccer announces Provisional List for Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying |url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-announces-provisional-list-for-concacaf-men-s-olympic-qualifying-p162594-preview-1 |publisher=Canada Soccer |accessdate=February 26, 2020 |date=February 26, 2020}} and was named to the final squad ahead of the rescheduled tournament on March 10, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-soccer-announces-squad-for-concacaf-mens-olympic-qualifying/ |title=CANADA SOCCER ANNOUNCES SQUAD FOR CONCACAF MEN'S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING |date=March 10, 2021}}
=Senior=
In January 2020, Bair was called up to the Canada senior team ahead of friendlies against Barbados and Iceland.{{cite web |url=https://northerntribune.ca/canada-national-team-tristan-borges/ |first=John |last=Jacques |title=Tristan Borges Called Up To Canada National Team Ahead Of Three Friendlies |date=January 3, 2020}} He made his debut on January 7 in the first match against Barbados, and scored a goal in a 4–1 victory.{{cite web |url=https://canpl.ca/article/canmnt-begins-2020-with-a-win-in-friendly-vs-barbados |title=HIGHLIGHTS: CanMNT begins 2020 with a win in friendly vs. Barbados |date=January 7, 2019}}
In February 2024, Bair was named to the Canada national team provisional roster for the 2024 Copa América qualifying play-offs against Trinidad and Tobago.{{cite web |title=Concacaf Nations League Play-In preliminary rosters announced |url=https://www.concacaf.com/nations-league/news/concacaf-nations-league-play-in-preliminary-rosters-announced/ |publisher=Concacaf.com |access-date=March 4, 2024 |date=March 4, 2024 |archive-date= |archive-url= |url-status=}} In June 2024, Bair was named to Canada's squad contesting the 2024 Copa América.{{cite web |url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/canmnt-announce-2024-copa-america-roster/ |title=CANMNT ANNOUNCE 2024 COPA AMÉRICA ROSTER |date=June 15, 2024 |work=Canadian Soccer Association}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played May 19, 2025|{{Cite web |url=https://ca.soccerway.com/players/thelonius-bair/480807/ |title=Theo Bair Profile |website=Soccerway |access-date=January 17, 2020}}}}
| 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 Canadian Championship, Scottish Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Scottish League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Vancouver Whitecaps FC
|2019 |rowspan="3"|MLS |17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 2 | |||
| 2020
|16{{efn|Includes three appearance in MLS is Back Tournament group stage}} | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage}} | 0 | 17 | 1 | |||
| 2021
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!37 | 3 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 39 | 3 | ||
| HamKam (loan)
|2021 |17 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 17 | 4 | |||
| rowspan="3"|St Johnstone
|rowspan="2"|Scottish Premiership |7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23
|27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 1 | ||
| Motherwell
|Scottish Premiership |38 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 41 | 15 | ||
| Auxerre
|29 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 2 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!155 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 165 | 25 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played November 19, 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan="5"|Canada
|2020 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total||5||1 |
|---|
:Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first.
| class="wikitable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Theo Bair ! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition | ||||||
| 1. | January 7, 2020 | Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine, United States | {{fb|BRB}} | align=center|4–1 | align=center| 4–1 | Friendly |
Honours
Individual
- PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2023–24 Premiership{{cite tweet |number=1781601474864111813 |title=PFA Scotland on X: "🏆 PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year. As voted by the players, here's your selection for 23/24: Jack Butland James Tavernier Cameron Carter-Vickers Liam Scales Owen Beck Matt O'Riley John Lundstram Callum McGregor Bojan Miovski Lawrence Shankland Theo Bair |user=PFAScotland |date=20 April 2024 |access-date=20 April 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.aja.fr/joueur/theo-bair/ Theo Bair] at AJ Auxerre {{in lang|fr}}
- {{LFP Ligue 1|new_id=2_103880}}
- {{Canada Soccer player|4238}}
- {{Soccerway|thelonius-bair/480807}}
- {{Instagram}}
{{AJ Auxerre squad}}
{{Canada squad 2024 Copa América}}
{{2023–24 PFA Scotland Scottish Premiership Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bair, Theo}}
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Black Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Canadian sportspeople of Jamaican descent
Category:Soccer players from Ottawa
Category:Vancouver Whitecaps FC players
Category:Hamarkameratene players
Category:St Johnstone F.C. players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Norwegian First Division players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Canada men's youth international soccer players
Category:Canada men's international soccer players
Category:Homegrown Players (MLS)
Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Norway
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Norway
Category:West Ottawa SC players
Category:Motherwell F.C. players