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Carlos Baleba
Cameroonian footballer (born 2004) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba (born 3 January 2004) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Cameroon national team.
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Early life
Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba was born on 4 January 2004 in Douala, Cameroon.[1] His father is a former professional footballer who played in South Africa and Cameroon.[2] He grew up in the neighbourhood of Akwa and is of Bassa descent.[2] Baleba started playing football at Futur Soccer FC in Douala and then joined École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun academy centre at the age of 13.[2]
Club career
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Lille
Baleba was transferred to Ligue 1 side Lille in January 2022,[3][4] having already attracted the scouts of several other European clubs.[5][6] Having arrived along with another youngster, Joffrey Bazié; the two Africans first joined Lille's reserve team, that played in Championnat National 3 that season.[5][7]
Despite being in the matchday squad multiple times towards the end of the 2021–22 Ligue 1 season, Baleba's professional debut had to wait until the 2022–23 season where he would break into the first team of newly appointed manager Paulo Fonseca.[8][9][10]
Baleba made his professional debut for Lille on 7 August 2022, replacing Angel Gomes during a 4–1 Ligue 1 win against Auxerre.[11][12][13]
Brighton and Hove Albion
On 29 August 2023, Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion announced the signing of Baleba on a five-year contract.[14] According to various reports, the financial details of the transfer include an initial and base fee of €27 million, a maximum of €3 million add-ons depending on sporting conditions and a 15% sell-on clause.[15][16][17][18] Baleba made his debut for Brighton in a 3–1 home victory against Bournemouth on 24 September, coming on as a 73rd minute substitute for Mahmoud Dahoud.[19] On 8 October, Baleba made his first start for Brighton in a 2–2 draw against Liverpool.[20]
On 18 September 2024, Baleba would score his first goal in Brighton colours in a 3–2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup.[21] Just over a week later on 28 September, Baleba scored his first league goal for the Seagulls in a 4–2 loss to Chelsea.[22] On 26 April 2025, Baleba scored an injury-time winner with a powerful shot outside the box in a 3–2 victory against West Ham United, which was later voted the Premier League Goal of the Month.[23][24]
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International career
Baleba made his debut for the Cameroon national team on 8 June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier 4–1 victory against Cape Verde at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium. He started the game and played 80 minutes.[25]
Style of play
Known for his stamina, dribbling and passing range, Baleba is a complete and powerful central midfielder who can play in a box-to-box role or as a holding midfielder. He grew up idolising Paul Pogba, Kevin De Bruyne, Thiago Alcântara as well as former Lille players Nicolas Pépé and Idrissa Gueye.[2]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 25 May 2025[26]
- Includes Coupe de France, FA Cup
- Includes EFL Cup
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
International
- As of match played 25 March 2025[27]
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Honours
Individual
- Brighton & Hove Albion Young Player of the Season: 2024–25[28]
- Premier League Goal of the Month: April 2025[24]
- The Athletic Alternative Premier league Team of the Season: 2024–25[29]
References
External links
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