Folarin Jerry Balogun (born July 3, 2001) is a professional soccer player who plays as a striker for Ligue 1 club Monaco and the United States national team. A Hale End academy prospect of Arsenal, Balogun was promoted to the first team in 2020 and featured sparingly for the club, later going on loan to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough in 2022.
🏆 Early Career and Arsenal
Balogun joined Arsenal at the age of eight, after being scouted while playing for his previous Sunday League side, Aldersbrook. In 2017, he was an integral part of Trevor Bumstead’s Arsenal U16 side that won the Liam Brady Cup, beating Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Juventus respectively. He signed a professional contract in February 2019.
🇫🇷 Breakthrough at Reims
In August 2022, he moved on loan to French club Reims. Balogun scored on his debut for the club on August 7, a 4–1 defeat to Marseille. On January 29, 2023, Balogun scored a late goal in stoppage time to seal a 1–1 draw away to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Three days later, Balogun scored his first senior hat-trick in a 4–2 win over Lorient, his fourteenth goal of the season in Ligue 1. He finished the season with 21 goals, to be the fourth top scorer in the league.
💰 Transfer to Monaco
In August 2023, Balogun left Arsenal and signed with Monaco for €40 million ($43 million). On August 30, 2023, Ligue 1 side Monaco announced the signing of Balogun on a five-year contract. On September 17, he scored his first league goal for Monaco, three minutes after coming off the bench in a 2–2 draw to Lorient.
🇺🇸 International Career
Balogun represented both the United States and England at the youth international level. In May 2023, he decided to play for the United States senior national team. He made his debut in June 2023, winning the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League and scoring his first goal in the final. Balogun was selected to the USMNT’s roster at the 2024 Copa America. On May 26, 2026, Balogun was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
📊 Key Career Statistics
| Season | Club | League Goals | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Reims (Loan) | 21 | Fourth top scorer in Ligue 1 |
| 2023–24 | Monaco | First league goal vs Lorient | Missed two penalties vs Nice |
| 2024–25 | Monaco | Scored vs Saint-Étienne | Sidelined by injuries most of season |
| 2025–26 | Monaco | 13 | Monaco Player of the Season |