Jonathan David
David with Lille in 2023
Personal information
Full name Jonathan Christian David[1]
Date of birth (2000-01-14) January 14, 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth Brooklyn, New York, United States
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Lille
Number 9
Youth career
2010 Gloucester Dragons
2011–2015 Ottawa Gloucester Hornets
2016–2018 Ottawa Internationals
2018 Gent
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2020 Gent 60 (30)
2020– Lille 132 (60)
International career‡
2017 Canada U17 3 (2)
2018 Canada U21 2 (0)
2018– Canada 45 (26)
Medal record
Men's soccer
Representing  Canada
CONCACAF Nations League
Runner-up 2023
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of February 4, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of November 22, 2023

Jonathan Christian David (born January 14, 2000) is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Lille and the Canada national team.

Born in Brooklyn, United States, David moved to his parents' country of Haiti when he was still a baby, and immigrated to Ottawa, Canada at the age of six. Raised in the Franco-Ontarian community of east Ottawa, he played for several local youth clubs before moving to Belgium in 2018, where he recorded his professional debut for Gent. In 2019, David was named the male Canada Soccer Player of the Year.

After two seasons at Gent, David joined French side Lille for a reported €30 million, making him the most expensive Canadian transfer to date. He would go on to win the Ligue 1 title in his first season at the club.

Early life

David was born in New York City to Haitian parents, and moved to Port-au-Prince when he was three months old.[3][4] At the age of six, he and his parents emigrated from Haiti to Canada and settled in Ottawa.[3][5] Growing up, David went to the Francophone public school École secondaire publique Louis-Riel. He cites this as a reason for his success: "It helped to always have the ball at my feet when I was at Louis Riel."[6]

David began playing organized soccer at age ten with Ottawa club Gloucester Dragons SA.[3] A year later he joined Ottawa Gloucester SC, where he played for the club's Hornets team until 2015.[3][4] In 2016, he joined Ottawa Internationals SC.[3] Growing up, David watched European soccer but not Major League Soccer as he had no desire to play professionally in North America. Instead, he was singularly focused on playing professionally in Europe.[7] He credits youth coach Hanny El-Magraby with being an early mentor and father figure who helped him achieve his dream of playing professional soccer in Europe. Before signing with Gent, David had trials at FC Salzburg and VfB Stuttgart, but was rejected by both.[8][9][10]

Club career

Gent

In January 2018, David joined Belgian First Division A side Gent.[11] He made his professional debut on August 4, 2018, against Zulte Waregem and scored a goal in stoppage time to salvage a 1–1 draw.[12] Just five days after his league debut, David came in as a second-half substitute in a Europa League third round qualifier against Jagiellonia Białystok, scoring a goal in the 85th minute to secure a 1–0 win for his team.[13] David continued his scoring streak three days later, coming in as a 71st minute substitute and scoring two late goals to secure a 4–1 league win against Waasland-Beveren.[14] After scoring five goals in his first five games, Gent signed David to a contract extension through 2022.[15] He further extended his contract by a year to 2023 in September 2019.[16] In the January 2020 transfer window, Gent chairman Ivan de Witte indicated there was significant interest in David from bigger clubs, with his value estimated at €20 million.[17][18]

Lille

2020–21 season: Ligue 1 champions

Jonathan David and Angel Gomes against Salzburg in 2021

On August 11, 2020, Ligue 1 side Lille confirmed the signing of David on a five-year contract.[19] The reported fee for David was €30 million, making him the most expensive Canadian transfer to date.[20] He made his competitive debut for Lille on August 22 against Rennes in their Ligue 1 season opener.[21] After a difficult start to the season, David scored his first goal for Lille on November 22 against Lorient, netting the final goal in a 4–0 victory.[22]

After going scoreless in his previous seven games,[23] David netted an extra-time winner against Reims to even Lille on points with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the top of the table.[24] On February 3, 2021, David scored as Lille defeated Bordeaux by a score of 3–0.[25] Continuing his run of form, David netted his first career Ligue 1 brace, scoring two goals on February 7 against Nantes. After only scoring two goals during the first half of the 2020–21 campaign, this brace marked David's fifth goal in as many games. On April 3, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 away win over PSG,[26] to be Lille's first away league win over the Parisians since April 1996.[27]

On May 23, he scored a goal in a 2–1 away win over Angers to win the 2020–21 Ligue 1 with Lille.[28] David finished his first season with 13 league goals, with 11 coming since the turn of the year. This included the winner against PSG in a closely contested match at the Parc des Princes and a late double against Marseille, becoming an important player for Lille's title charge and one of the league's most in-form players.[29]

International career

Youth

David was first identified by the Canadian youth national team program in 2015 after attending several under-15 camps and was regularly called up to Canada under-17 camps in the lead-up to the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship.[3] David subsequently represented Canada at the tournament[30] and scored a brace against Suriname in the final group game.[31] In May 2018, David was called up to the Canadian Under-21 team for the 2018 Toulon Tournament.[32]

David received a call-up to the United States under-20 team by Tab Ramos in 2018. He declined the invitation to focus on his club career, and because his desire was to represent Canada.[33]

Senior

David with Canada at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

David received his first senior call up to Canada on August 30, 2018, for a CONCACAF Nations League qualifier against the U.S. Virgin Islands.[34] He made his senior debut in the match on September 9, starting and netting a brace in an 8–0 victory.[35] David was named to the final squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup on May 30, 2019.[36] In Canada's final group game during the tournament against Cuba, he scored a hat-trick in a 7–0 win.[37] Despite Canada's elimination to Haiti in the quarter-finals,[38] David would finish the tournament as the Golden Boot winner with six goals.[39]

After Canada's 6–0 victory over Cuba on September 7, 2019, David set the record for most Canada senior international goals in a single year with eight in 2019.[40] For his efforts, he was named the 2019 Canadian Men's Player of the Year.[41]

On June 8, 2021, David scored his second hat-trick for Canada in a 4–0 win over Suriname in a 2022 World Cup qualification match.[42] At the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, David tallied a total of nine goals, five of them coming from the third and final round.[43] In November 2022, he was confirmed as part of the 26-man squad going to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[44]

In June 2023, David was named to Canada's final squad contesting the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.[45]

Style of play

A versatile forward, David plays primarily as a second striker in a 4–4–2 formation or as an attacking midfielder;[46] he is also capable of playing as an out–and–out striker,[47] and is known for his goalscoring ability.[48] As a second striker, in a partnership he plays just behind the other primary striker.[46][49] David is able to find gaps in the defence and to attack these areas with his pace, noted for his high top speeds.[46] He is also able to play short passes and combine with teammates to attack the goal area, he is able to play best with his tight control and sharp interplay between teammates.[49] Due to his pace and speed, David is also effective on counterattacks.[46] Moreover, he is known for his tactical intelligence, defensive work-rate, and ability to read the game, as well as his willingness to press opposing players off the ball.[47]

Personal life

He is good friends with Lille teammate Angel Gomes and former Lille player Timothy Weah.[50]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played February 7, 2024[51]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Gent 2018–19 Belgian Pro League 33 12 6 0 4[b] 2 — 43 14
2019–20 Belgian Pro League 27 18 — 13[b] 5 — 40 23
Total 60 30 6 0 17 7 — 83 37
Lille 2020–21 Ligue 1 37 13 3 0 8[b] 0 — 48 13
2021–22 Ligue 1 38 15 1 1 8[c] 3 1[d] 0 48 19
2022–23 Ligue 1 37 24 3 2 — — 40 26
2023–24 Ligue 1 20 8 3 3 6[e] 2 — 28 13
Total 132 60 10 6 22 5 1 0 165 71
Career total 192 90 16 6 39 12 1 0 248 108
  1. ^ Includes Belgian Cup, Coupe de France
  2. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ Appearance in Trophée des Champions
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

International

As of match played November 21, 2023[52]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Canada 2018 3 3
2019 9 8
2020 0 0
2021 12 7
2022 14 4
2023 7 4
Total 45 26
Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each David goal.[43]
List of international goals scored by Jonathan David
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 September 9, 2018 IMG Academy, Bradenton, United States 1  U.S. Virgin Islands 3–0 8–0 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification
2 4–0
3 October 16, 2018 BMO Field, Toronto, Canada 2  Dominica 1–0 5–0 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification
4 March 24, 2019 BC Place, Vancouver, Canada 4  French Guiana 3–1 4–1 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualification
5 June 15, 2019 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, United States 5  Martinique 1–0 4–0 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
6 2–0
7 June 23, 2019 Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, United States 7  Cuba 1–0 7–0 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
8 6–0
9 7–0
10 June 29, 2019 NRG Stadium, Houston, United States 8  Haiti 1–0 2–3 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
11 September 7, 2019 BMO Field, Toronto, Canada 9  Cuba 2–0 6–0 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League A
12 June 5, 2021 IMG Academy, Bradenton, United States 13  Aruba 7–0 7–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
13 June 8, 2021 SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, United States 14  Suriname 2–0 4–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
14 3–0
15 4–0
16 September 8, 2021 BMO Field, Toronto, Canada 19  El Salvador 2–0 3–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
17 October 13, 2021 BMO Field, Toronto, Canada 22  Panama 4–1 4–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
18 November 12, 2021 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada 23  Costa Rica 1–0 1–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
19 January 27, 2022 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras 25  Honduras 2–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
20 February 2, 2022 Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 27  El Salvador 2–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
21 June 13, 2022 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras 32  Honduras 1–2 1–2 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A
22 September 23, 2022 Franz Horr Stadium, Vienna, Austria 33  Qatar 2–0 2–0 Friendly
23 March 25, 2023 Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao 39  Curaçao 1–0 2–0 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A
24 March 28, 2023 BMO Field, Toronto, Canada 40  Honduras 3–0 4–1 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A
25 June 15, 2023 Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, United States 41  Panama 1–0 2–0 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals
26 November 18, 2023 Independence Park, Kingston, Jamaica 44  Jamaica 1–0 2–1 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League A

Honours

Lille

Individual

References

  1. ^ "40-Player National Team Roster: 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup: Canada" (PDF). CONCACAF. p. 2. Retrieved May 20, 2019 – via Bernews.
  2. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™: List of Players: Canada" (PDF). FIFA. November 15, 2022. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Jonathan David at the Canadian Soccer Association
  4. ^ a b Kilkenny, Carmel (September 11, 2018). "Jonathan David impresses on the national team". Radio Canada International. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  5. ^ "The Lille striker tracked by Europe's elite" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Jonathan David, la nouvelle coqueluche du soccer Canadien". CBC/Radio-Canada. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  7. ^ Eliasy, Alain (October 29, 2019). "Jonathan David, goudhaantje van KAA Gent: 'Tijdens mijn puberteit had ik even andere prioriteiten'". Sport Voetbal Magazine.
  8. ^ 1 vs 1 : Jonathan David « Je ne réalise pas encore ce que je suis devenu » (English Subtitles), retrieved November 29, 2022 (timestamp — talks about coach Hanny El-Magraby)
  9. ^ "Opinion | Why Canadian Jonathan David has a real shot at joining the soccer world's one-percenters". thestar.com. May 29, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  10. ^ 1 vs 1 : Jonathan David « Je ne réalise pas encore ce que je suis devenu » (English Subtitles), retrieved November 29, 2022 (timestamp — talks about trails at salzburg & stuttgart)
  11. ^ "OISC Youth Player Signs First Pro Contact". January 23, 2018.
  12. ^ Nuyens, Rudy (August 4, 2018). "Gent voorkomt nul op zes in slotseconden: nieuwkomer David scoort late gelijkmaker tegen Zulte Waregem".
  13. ^ "UEFA Europa League – Jagiellonia Białystok-Gent". August 8, 2018.
  14. ^ "JUPILER PRO LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 3". August 12, 2018. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  15. ^ "La Gantoise sécurise son talent Jonathan David en le prolongeant jusqu'en 2022". Lavenir. August 20, 2018.
  16. ^ "AA Gent legt goudhaantje Jonathan David langer vast". September 24, 2019.
  17. ^ "Jonathan David Niet te Koop Voor 20 Miljoen Euro". Voetbal Belgie. January 8, 2020.
  18. ^ "Jonathan David: "Ik zal altijd voor mijn moeder spelen"". Sporza (in Dutch). January 7, 2020.
  19. ^ "Jonathan David au LOSC, c'est fait !" (in French). Lille OSC. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  20. ^ Rouse, Daniel (August 11, 2020). "Lille make Jonathan David most expensive Canadian player ever". theScore. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  21. ^ Quillan, Ian (August 22, 2020). "Canada's Jonathan David starts in Ligue 1 debut as Lille hold on for draw against Stade Rennes".
  22. ^ "Canada's David scores first goal in Lille win". November 22, 2020.
  23. ^ "Canadian Jonathan David nets winner, Lille beats Reims". tsn.ca. January 17, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  24. ^ Pugmire, Jerome (January 24, 2021). "David scores as Lille wins 1-0 to stay level with leader PSG". AP News. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  25. ^ Pugmire, Jerome (February 3, 2021). "Weah, David score for leader Lille in 3-0 win at Bordeaux". AP News. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  26. ^ "Neymar sees red as Lille move top with win over Paris Saint-Germain". ESPN. April 3, 2021.
  27. ^ @OptaJean (April 3, 2021). "Paris n'a perdu aucune de ses 21 dernières réceptions de Lille en Ligue 1 (13 victoires, 8 nuls), son dernier revers à domicile face au LOSC en championnat remontant au 27 avril 1996 (0-1)" (Tweet) (in French) – via Twitter.
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  31. ^ Rosano, Nick (April 28, 2017). "Canada bow out of CONCACAF U-17 Championship with 2–0 win vs. Suriname".
  32. ^ Tierney, Mitchell (May 17, 2018). "Canada's next generation will be on display at the Toulon Tournament". Archived from the original on July 7, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  33. ^ Cardenas, Felipe. "'What has happened to me is really unbelievable':..." The Athletic. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
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  37. ^ "Cavallini, David hat tricks lead Canada past Cuba in Gold Cup". The Sports Network. June 23, 2019.
  38. ^ Heroux, Devin (June 29, 2019). "Canada crashes out of Gold Cup quarters after coughing up lead to Haiti".
  39. ^ "2019 Concacaf Gold Cup – Golden Boot Award". July 8, 2019. Archived from the original on July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  40. ^ "Canada lights up Cuba, earns clean sheet to kick off Nations League campaign". The Canadian Press. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
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  42. ^ "Canada v Suriname". FIFA. June 8, 2021. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021.
  43. ^ a b "David, Jonathan". National Football Teams. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  44. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (November 13, 2022). "Canada announces 26-man squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar". Canadian Premier League.
  45. ^ Tierney, Mitchell (June 7, 2023). "Former CPLers Loturi, Zator called up by Canada for 2023 Concacaf Nations League Finals". Canadian Premier League.
  46. ^ a b c d "Jonathan David: What makes the Canadian one the top young strikers in Europe?". Total Football Analysis. September 2021.
  47. ^ a b Benge, James (January 7, 2022). "Jonathan David: The Lille modern super forward who went from amateur to top transfer target in four years". CBS Soccer. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  48. ^ Thomas, Josh (July 6, 2019). "Who is Jonathan David? Canada's goalscoring wonderkid set to win Gold Cup Golden Boot". www.goal.com. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  49. ^ a b Adam White (November 22, 2021). "Jonathan David is emerging as an elite striker at Lille. Where will he go next?". The Guardian.
  50. ^ Bja, Rayan (October 31, 2021). "Timothy Weah évoque sa relation avec Jonathan David et Angel Gomes". Le Petit Lillois (in French). Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  51. ^ "Jonathan David » Club matches". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  52. ^ Jonathan David at the Canadian Soccer Association
  53. ^ "Lille Crowned Ligue 1 Champs With Win In Angers". BeIN Sports. May 23, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  54. ^ "Lille beat PSG to clinch first French Super Cup". Sky Sports. August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  55. ^ "2019 Concacaf Gold Cup - Best XI". goldcup.org. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  56. ^ "2019 Concacaf Gold Cup – Golden Boot Award". goldcup.org. Archived from the original on July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  57. ^ "Jupiler Pro League". jupilerproleague.be. Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  58. ^ "Canada Soccer announces Jonathan David as 2019 Canadian Player of the Year". Canadian Soccer Association. December 11, 2019. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  59. ^ "Jonathan David: Player of the Year". kaagent.be. KAA Gent. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  60. ^ "Turner, Reyna and David lead way in CNL Finals Best XI". CONCACAF. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.

External links

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