Folarin Balogun is an American professional footballer. He is famous for his playing position as a striker. He is best known for playing with his current team, Arsenal, and the United States national team. Born in New York City, he initially represented both the United States and England at the youth international level, but in a pivotal decision made in May 2023, he committed to representing the United States senior national team. Recently, Arsenal has reportedly agreed to sell Folarin Balogun for an initial fee of approximately £ 34 million, plus add-ons and a ‘significant sell-on clause’.
Folarin Balogun, the American striker, is renowned for his role at Arsenal and the United States national team. Born in New York City, he recently chose to represent the United States at the senior level in May 2023 after initially representing both the United States and England in youth international competitions.
Folarin Balogun, born on July 3, 2001, hails from New York City, New York, United States, but his family emigrated to England when he was just two years old, where he grew up in London. Holding both American and English nationality, he belongs to a mixed ethnicity. Born to Nigerian parents, Jerry and Mrs. Brentford, Balogun embodies a cultural fusion of his American birthplace and Nigerian heritage.
Folarin Balogun's football journey began when he joined Arsenal at the age of eight, having been scouted while playing for his previous Sunday League team, Aldersbrook. Interestingly, before his time with Arsenal, he had also trialed with their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, coming close to signing with them. In 2017, he played a pivotal role in Trevor Bumstead's Arsenal U16 side, leading them to victory in the Liam Brady Cup, triumphing over esteemed opponents like Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Juventus. Balogun went on to sign his professional contract with Arsenal in February 2019. However, in July 2020, due to a contract dispute, he was linked with a transfer away from the club, including an £8 million proposed move to Brentford.
Folarin made his senior debut in the Europa League on October 29, 2020, coming on as a substitute against Dundalk and later scored his first senior goal in a Europa League match against Molde on November 26, 2020. On April 26, 2021, Balogun signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal and subsequently made his Premier League debut in a 2-0 loss to newly promoted Brentford on August 13, 2021. On January 12, 2022, he embarked on a loan spell with EFL Championship club Middlesbrough, extending until the end of the season.
In August 2022, Folarin embarked on a loan spell with French club Reims, making a memorable debut by scoring a goal in a 4–1 match against Marseille. His standout moment came on January 29, 2023, when he netted a late goal to secure a 1–1 draw against PSG, marking his eleventh goal in Ligue 1, the most for any player aged 21 or under in Europe's top five leagues. Three days later, he recorded his first senior hat-trick in a 4–2 win over Lorient, making him the league's leading scorer at that time with 14 goals. Balogun finished the season with 21 goals, ranking fourth among Ligue 1's top scorers. Upon his return to Arsenal for the 2023–24 season, he expressed his commitment to the club, ruling out another loan move, and attracted interest from Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Monaco in August 2023.
Born in the United States to Nigerian parents and raised in England, Folarin had eligibility to represent any of these three nations in international football. He initially played for England at the under-17 level and later appeared in the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. However, in August 2018, he accepted a call-up from the United States under-18 national team, featuring prominently in the Václav Ježek Youth Tournament. Balogun also expressed interest in playing for Nigeria but appreciated England's "style of play," akin to Arsenal's.
He continued to represent England at various youth levels, including the under-21 team in August 2021, but in October 2022, he indicated his openness to playing for Nigeria. Finally, on May 16, 2023, FIFA approved Balogun's switch to represent the United States national team, and he received his first call-up for the USMNT on June 1, 2023, marking his debut and first goal for the team in a victorious Nations League final over Canada on June 18, 2023.
Folarin Balogun is a renowned professional football player whose net worth has reached an impressive $5 million in 2023. His main source of wealth comes from his lucrative contracts, sponsorships, and endorsements within the world of football. With an annual salary of around $1,955,497 from his current team, Balogun's market value stands at a remarkable €30 million as of June 27, 2023, reflecting his rising prominence in the sport. This financial success affords him a luxurious lifestyle befitting his status in the football world.
Folarin Balogun is a stylish footballer, standing at a height of 1.78 meters, or 5 feet and 10 inches. He has a well-maintained bodyweight of 66 kilograms. His athletic body type is complemented by his striking black hair and deep black eyes. Committed to his physical fitness, he hits the gym to keep his body in peak condition. He has a healthy body with an attractive appearance.
Folarin Balogun's journey with Arsenal began at the tender age of eight, shortly after he and his parents had moved to England when he was just two years old. His deep-seated love for football was evident from an early age, noticed keenly by his parents who recognized his talent. Encouraged by this passion, they enrolled him in a football academy and allowed him to participate in matches for the Sunday League team Aldersbrook. It was during one of these games that Arsenal scouts spotted his potential, leading to his pivotal inclusion in the North London club's youth ranks at the age of eight.
Balogun's loan spell with French club Reims in August 2022 proved prolific as he netted an impressive 21 goals during the season, securing him the position of the fourth top scorer in Ligue 1 for that particular campaign.
Eligible to represent three different countries, the 21-year-old Folarin Balogun was born in the United States to Nigerian parents and raised in England, a diverse background that grants him the choice to play for any of these nations on the international stage.
Regarding his decision to represent the United States, Balogun expressed that it was a family decision, stating, "My decision to represent the United States came together with my family. In the end, it became a no-brainer, but for sure it’s just something I wanted to do and it feels like I’m at home here. To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. I’m very proud and honored to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful."
In a twist of fate, Folarin Balogun, who had a strong desire to become a "gunner," came close to signing with Tottenham Hotspur during his early days. Reflecting on this period, the Nigerian footballer revealed, "While I was having my trial at Arsenal, I kept in touch with Tottenham in case things went south. Fortunately, the gunners signed me. I was happy, and it was one of my life's special moments."
Despite being eligible to play for three different nations, Folarin has yet to don the Nigerian national team jersey. He has a notable history with the England under-17 team, participating in the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, and has also featured for the United States under-18 national team. Recently, he joined the U.S. Men’s National Team for the Concacaf Nations League Final Four, making significant strides in his international career, but to date, he has not represented or played for the Nigerian national team.