Franco Tongya

Franco Daryl Tongya Heubang (born 13 March 2002) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Gençlerbirliği.

Club career Early career Born in Turin, Italy, to Cameroonian parents, before moving to Juventus' youth sector in 2009 aged seven. in a 2–1 win over Pro Sesto. He played 10 league games in the first half of the 2020–21 season. He made his debut for the reserve team in the Championnat National 2 on 27 February, as a starter in a 0–0 draw against Rumilly-Vallières.

Odense Boldklub On 30 August 2022, Tongya joined Danish side OB on a permanent deal, signing a three-year contract with the club. He subsequently made his debut in the Danish Superliga on 4 September, starting the match against Viborg, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for his team.

On 21 October, Tongya scored his first goal with the club, as well as his first professional goal, in a 3–1 league win against Lyngby. On 10 March 2023, he scored with a bicycle kick in a 2-1 league win over Aalborg: thanks to this achievement, he eventually received the "Goal of the Month" prize by the Superligaen.

Loan to AEK Larnaca On 2 September 2023, Tongya joined Cypriot First Division side AEK Larnaca on a season-long loan. After finishing his loan spell, Tongya returned to Odense.

Salernitana On 13 July 2024, Tongya returned to Italy after signing with newly-relegated Serie B club Salernitana.

On 24 August 2024, Tongya made his Salernitana debut in a 3-2 Serie B defeat to Südtirol.

Gençlerbirliği On 6 September 2025, following Salernitana's relegation to Serie C, Tongya left to sign for Turkish club Gençlerbirliği.

International career Tongya has represented Italy internationally from under-16 to under-19 levels. He played for the under-17 side at the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, playing five games and scoring Italy's winning goal in the semi-finals against Portugal; Italy eventually lost the final to the Netherlands.

Tongya also took part at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil; he played as a starter in all five games and scored a goal in the group stage against the Solomon Islands.

Style of play Mainly a half-winger , Tongya is also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, or a winger. He initially started out as a forward, before moving to the midfield.

Tongya cited Cristiano Ronaldo as a source of inspiration.

Career statistics Club

Honours Juventus 2016–17

Italy U17 UEFA European Under-17 Championship runners-up: 2019