Folarin Balogun has one of the modern game’s more unique trajectories: born in Brooklyn, raised in London, brought up through the Arsenal academy, and now spearheading the United States attack at a World Cup. If/when you are struggling to figure out how all this works, here is the top of the pyramid.
Quick Facts About Folarin Balogun
- Full name: Folarin Jerry Balogun
- Date of birth: July 3, 2001
- Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York
- Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
- Position: Striker
- Current club: AS Monaco
- Squad number: 9
- National team: United States
An Unplanned New York Birth
Balogun’s birth in Brooklyn was not part of any plan. His parents, who are both Nigerian and of the Yoruba ethnic group, were residing in London and his mother was visiting New York at the time seven months pregnant. When her airline refused to let her board the plane to return home without a physician’s note, the family found themselves in the city for the birth of Folarin — and until they were both given the all-clear to travel. He relocated to London soon after and grew up there so much of his early football education came on English rather than American soil.
That eccentricity of geography would make a big difference at the end of his career.
Rising Through Arsenal’s Academy
Balogun joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of eight, emerging from the same setup as current stars Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. He was a prolific goalscorer at all youth levels and agreed his first professional contract with the club in February 2019, aged just 17.
He made his first team appearance in October 2020, in a Europa League tie against Dundalk, and opened his account just over a month later in an away victory against Molde in Norway. However, opportunities to play in the Premier League were more limited, with Arsenal’s first-team squad well stocked at the time, and the club felt the best way to further his development was through loan spells.
Learning the Trade on Loan
Balogun spent the second half of the 2021–22 season on loan at English Championship club Middlesbrough, where he scored three goals in 18 league appearances. The experience was beneficial, but nothing compared to what followed.
In 2022, he moved to Ligue 1 club Reims on loan, and it was there that his career took off. Balogun netted 21 goals in 37 league games that campaign, finishing fourth in the league’s scoring charts. He subsequently revealed that when a coach at the beginning of the year asked him what his target was, he replied “ten goals” and “blew past that.”
The Move to Monaco
That breakout season had Balogun firmly on the radar of a number of top European clubs. Arsenal considered offers and interest from various quarters but Balogun joined AS Monaco permanently in August 2023 in a deal said to be worth in the region of €30million.
Since his arrival in Monaco, he has become the club’s main striker and a regular contributor in Ligue 1 and Europe. On the individual front he has also earned plaudits, being named the club’s Player of the Month in February 2026 .
Choosing the United States
Due to being born in Brooklyn, Balogun could play for the U.S., England or Nigeria at senior international level. He’d played for England at a number of different youth levels, from under-17 up to under-21, scoring at a good rate throughout.
In 2023, he opted to change his international loyalties to the United States. He made his sn for the USMNT that spring in a Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Mexico, and then netted in that final against Canada, a performance that landed him a spot in the Nations League Finals Best XI. The U.S. went on to win that tournament, and Balogun added another Nations League title the following year.
World Cup 2026
Balogun secured a place on the United States’ 2026 World Cup roster, on home soil for part of it. He’s a crucial attacking threat in this tournament, having started the opening game against Paraguay and scoring twice, coming off the bench to net against Senegal, then starting against Germany and Australia. For someone who once donned an England youth jersey, to lead the American offense at a home World Cup is about as full-circle as it gets.
Playing Style
Balogun is a modern number nine, fast, clinical in the box, and can finish with both feet despite being naturally right footed. He excelled in his loan spells not just because of his finishing ability, but because of his movement, how he continuously created space between defenders, and not just because of his pace or strength. This is a big part of why he was scouted by teams all over Europe as soon as he came out of the shadow at Arsenal.
Balogun’s Career So Far, In Numbers
- 21 Ligue 1 goals in a single loan season at Reims
- 24 goals in 72 appearances for Monaco through the 2023-2026 period
- Two Concacaf Nations League titles with the United States
- 12 goals in his first 31 caps for the USMNT
It’s a resumé that keeps getting longer, and with Balogun still just in his mid-20s, the most productive spell in his career probably still lies ahead.
