Carlos Baleba

Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba (born 3 January 2004) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a central or defensive midfielder for club Manchester United and the Cameroon national team.

Baleba joined French club Lille in January 2022. He made 23 first-team appearances for the club, before joining Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2023. He made 112 appearances for Brighton across three seasons, winning the club's Young Player of the Season award in 2024–25. He signed for Manchester United in August 2026.

Baleba made his senior international debut for Cameroon in June 2024. He represented Cameroon at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Early life Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba was born on 3 January 2004 in Douala, Cameroon to Cameroonian-French parents. Baleba holds both Cameroonian and French citizenship from his parents. His father is a former professional footballer who played in South Africa and Cameroon. He grew up in the neighbourhood of Akwa and is of Bassa descent. having already attracted the scouts of several other European clubs. 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.

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.

Baleba made his professional debut for Lille on 7 August 2022, replacing Angel Gomes during a 4–1 Ligue 1 win against Auxerre.

Brighton and Hove Albion On 29 August 2023, Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion announced the signing of Baleba on a five-year contract. 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. 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. On 8 October, Baleba made his first start for Brighton in a 2–2 draw against Liverpool.

On 18 September 2024, Baleba scored his first goal in Brighton colours in a 3–2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup. Just over a week later on 28 September, Baleba scored his first league goal for the Seagulls in a 4–2 loss to Chelsea. 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. The transfer fee was reportedly £70m including add-ons.

International career Baleba made his debut for the Cameroon national team on 8 June 2024, in a 4–1 victory against Cape Verde in a World Cup qualifier at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium. He started the game and played 80 minutes.

Baleba was included in the list of Cameroonian players selected by coach David Pagou to participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Style of play Known for his stamina, dribbling and passing range, Baleba is a central midfielder who can play in a box-to-box role or as a holding midfielder.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

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2021–22 National 3

2022–23

Honours Individual Brighton & Hove Albion Young Player of the Season: 2024–25 Premier League Goal of the Month: April 2025