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Florentin Pogba

Florentin Pogba
Pogba at a 2018 FIFA World Cup match
Personal information
Full name Peïlé Florentin Pogba[1]
Date of birth (1990-08-19) 19 August 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Conakry, Guinea
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
R.E. Virton
Number 19
Youth career
2007–2009 Celta Vigo
2009–2011 Sedan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Sedan 45 (4)
2012–2018 Saint-Étienne 99 (2)
2012–2013Sedan (loan) 34 (3)
2018 Gençlerbirliği 9 (0)
2019 Atlanta United 22 (0)
2019 Atlanta United 2 4 (0)
2020–2022 Sochaux 65 (0)
2022–2023 Mohun Bagan SG 5 (0)
2024– R.E. Virton 5 (1)
International career
2011–2012 France U20 3 (0)
2010–2021 Guinea 31 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:12, 5 October 2024 (UTC)

Peïlé Florentin Pogba (born 19 August 1990) is a Guinean professional footballer who plays as a defender for Belgian side R.E. Virton. His twin brother Mathias and younger brother Paul are both professional footballers.

Early life

Pogba was born in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. His family moved to Roissy-en-Brie in France when he was eight months old.[2]

Pogba has two brothers who are also professional footballers. His twin brother, Mathias, most recently played for ASM Belfort,[3] while his younger brother, Paul, plays for Italian side Juventus and the France national football team.[4]

He grew up supporting Arsenal, following their invincible season.[5]

Club career

Sedan

Pogba began his youth career playing for several clubs in Île-de-France. It was here that he came to the attention of Spanish side Celta Vigo and signed for them in 2007, although he never made an appearance for their senior team. After spending two seasons in the youth ranks at Celta, he had a trial with Sedan in August 2009. After a successful trial, he joined up with Sedan's reserve team, and after one season in the reserves, he signed his first professional contract in March 2010. On 20 November 2010, Pogba made his first appearance with the first team in a 2–0 win against amateur side FC Steinseltz in the Coupe de France. A few months later, on 5 February 2011, he made his league debut in a 1–0 defeat against Boulogne. Despite the result, Pogba's performance was praised, and he kept his place in the team. On 20 September, in the following season, he scored his first goal for Sedan, a header from a corner against Troyes.[6]

Saint-Étienne

On the final day of the summer transfer window in 2012, Pogba was transferred to AS Saint-Étienne for a fee of €500,000. He was then immediately loaned back to Sedan for the remainder of the 2012–13 season.[7] After returning to Saint-Étienne in 2013, he initially struggled to break into the team in his first season with the club. He scored his first goal for the club on 3 December, in a 2–0 win against Montpellier HSC. By this time, he had well and truly established himself as the first choice centre-back at the club, displacing long time Saint-Étienne defender Loïc Perrin. Pogba picked up a serious injury whilst on international duty with Guinea.[8] It was initially feared that he would miss the rest of the season, but he returned against Nice in the 36th match week of the season.

Gençlerbirliği

In January 2018, after 86 appearances and 3 goals for Saint-Étienne, Pogba was transferred to Turkish club Gençlerbirliği on a short-term contract.[9][10] On 6 May 2018, Pogba was involved in a confrontation with teammates during a crucial game against Antalyaspor. Gençlerbirliği were losing 1–0 when Pogba limped off the pitch and took off his shirt in the 88th minute. The Ankara side, fighting to avoid relegation, had already used the allowed three substitutions.[11] Gençlerbirliği's captain, Ahmet Oğuz, furious that he was going to leave them with ten men, confronted Pogba, who turned around and walked on to face his teammate as other players and staff were forced to separate the duo.[12] He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract.[10]

Atlanta United

In January 2019, Pogba went on trial with Spanish Segunda División club Elche.[13] He impressed during his trial and was set to sign with the club but a registration hitch meant he was unable to.[14]

A month later, Pogba signed for Major League Soccer club Atlanta United FC, following a preseason session with the team.[15] He made his first team debut in a 1-0 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps on 16 May.[16] He started and played the full match as Atlanta recorded their fifth clean sheet, winning all 5 games in the process, setting a new MLS record.[16] In the 2019 Campeones Cup against Club América on 14 August, Pogba earned a penalty for Atlanta that was converted by Josef Martínez and sealed a 3–2 victory.[17][18]

In the final of the U.S. Open Cup against Minnesota United on 27 August, Pogba played at center-back as Atlanta won 2–1 and secured their second trophy of the season.[19]

On 21 November, it was announced that Atlanta had declined the option to extend Pogba's contract into the 2020 season due to the uncertainty around the collective bargaining agreement, meaning that he became a free agent.[20]

Sochaux

On 18 May 2020, it was announced that Pogba had signed a three-year contract with Ligue 2 side Sochaux, pending a physical.[21]

Mohun Bagan SG

On 24 June 2022, Indian Super League club Mohun Bagan SG completed the signing of Pogba on a two-year deal.[22] He made his debut for the club on 20 August against Rajasthan United at the 131st edition of Durand Cup as his team lost the match by 3–2.[23]

R.E. Virton

On 25 July 2024, Pogba joined Belgian side R.E. Virton.[24][25]

International career

Pogba was handed his first call up to the Guinea squad by Michel Dussuyer ahead of a friendly match against Mali on 11 August 2010. He made his international debut in the second half of the game, helping his team to a 2–0 victory.[26]

Nine months later, Pogba accepted a call-up to play for the France under-20 team in the 2011 Toulon Tournament. Pogba was allowed to do this because FIFA's regulations allow players with dual nationality to change their allegiance if they haven't yet played a competitive match for a country, which he hadn't yet done with Guinea. France went on to reach the final,[27] but lost out to the Colombia under-20 team 3–1 on penalties; Pogba was one of three French players to miss their penalty.[28]

On 24 March 2013, Pogba pledged his international future to Guinea, and he played his first competitive game for them in a 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Mozambique.[14] After struggling to play regular club football in the 2013–14 season, he also struggled to get into the Guinea team. However, after forcing his way into the Saint-Étienne side during the following season, he was able to return to his place in the Guinea team.

In December 2014, Pogba was named in the final 23-man roster for Guinea at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.[29] Pogba played the full 90 minutes of their first group match, a 1–1 draw against Ivory Coast, and started the second match against Cameroon, before being substituted just before half-time with a thigh injury.[8][30] He did not feature again for Guinea as they lost in the quarter-finals to Ghana.[31]

Pogba was recalled to the national team in October 2019 by new manager Didier Six.[32]

Career statistics

Club

As of 28 September 2024[33]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sedan 2010–11 Ligue 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
2011–12 32 4 1 0 3 0 36 4
Total 45 4 1 0 3 0 0 0 49 4
Saint-Étienne 2013–14 Ligue 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
2014–15 16 1 1 0 1 0 6[c] 0 24 1
2015–16 24 0 3 0 0 0 8[c] 0 35 0
2016–17 17 1 0 0 1 0 11[c] 1 29 2
2017–18 5 0 1 0 0 0 6 0
Total 66 2 6 0 2 0 25 1 99 3
Sedan (loan) 2012–13 Ligue 2 34 3 3 0 1 0 38 3
Gençlerbirliği 2017–18 Süper Lig 8 0 1 0 9 0
Atlanta United 2019 Major League Soccer 16 0 4 0 0 0 2[d] 0 22 0
Atlanta United 2 2019 USL Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Sochaux 2020–21 Ligue 2 30 0 0 0 30 0
2021–22 33 0 2 0 35 0
Total 63 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 65 0
Mohun Bagan SG 2022–23 Indian Super League 2 0 3 0 3 0 8 0
R.E. Virton 2024-25 Nationale 1 5 1 0 0 5 1
Career total 243 10 20 0 8 0 27 1 299 11
  1. ^ Includes Coupe de France, Turkish Cup, U.S. Open Cup, Super Cup
  2. ^ Includes Coupe de la Ligue, Durand Cup
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ One appearances in CONCACAF Champions League, one appearance in Campeones Cup

International

As of match played 9 October 2021[34]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Guinea 2010 1 0
2013 3 0
2014 4 0
2015 6 0
2016 2 0
2017 4 0
2018 1 0
2019 2 0
2020 2 0
2021 6 0
Total 31 0

Honours

Atlanta United

References

  1. ^ "Peïlé Florentin Pogba" (in Turkish). Turkish Football Federation. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Sparta Rotterdam heeft Pogba te strikken". Voetbalkrant.com (in Dutch). 31 August 2016. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  3. ^ "Paul Pogba's brother Florentin joins ATK Mohun Bagan on two-year deal". The Times of India. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Juventus complete Pogba signing as ex-Man Utd midfielder joins as a free transfer". goal.com. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Arsenal fan Florentin Pogba reveals teasing with Manchester United brother Paul". Sky Sports. 12 February 2017. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  6. ^ "LIVE ESTAC Troyes - CS Sedan Ardennes - Ligue 2 - 20 September 2011". Eurosport. 20 September 2011. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Who is Florentin Pogba? Meet Paul's "crazy" big brother who's desperate to play for Arsenal one day". FourFourTwo. 15 February 2017. Archived from the original on 11 March 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Afcon 2015: Guinean Florentin Pogba out for rest of season". BBC Sport. 30 January 2015. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  9. ^ "Games played by Florentin Pogba in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Napoli seek Chiriches replacements". football-italia.net. 8 September 2018. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Florentin Pogba clashes with teammates after walking off pitch". ESPN. 7 May 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
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  13. ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (7 January 2019). "Florentin Pogba: Guinea international on trial at Spanish club Elche". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  14. ^ a b "Florentin Pogba: Guinea defender ready for 'new adventure'". BBC. 6 February 2019. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  15. ^ Boehm, Charles (5 February 2019). "Official: Atlanta United sign center back Florentin Pogba". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  16. ^ a b "Florentin Pogba makes Atlanta United debut in record-breaking night". MLS. 16 May 2019. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
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  18. ^ a b "Atlanta beats Club America to lift Campeones Cup". ESPNFC. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Atlanta United wins U.S. Open Cup". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 27 August 2019. Archived from the original on 13 September 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  20. ^ "Atlanta United: Pity Martinez will be back and can make a major impact on MLS in 2020". MLS Soccer. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 24 January 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  21. ^ "Florentin Pogba va s'engager avec le FCSM". FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. 18 May 2020. Archived from the original on 20 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  22. ^ "FLORENTIN POGBA TRANSFERRED TO ATK MOHUN BAGAN FC". fcsochaux.fr. 24 June 2022. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  23. ^ Bhattacharjee, Neeladri (20 August 2022). "Durand Cup HIGHLIGHTS ATK Mohun Bagan loses 2–3 to Rajasthan United, ATKMB vs RUFC; Mariners lose first match". sportstar.thehindu.com. Kolkata, West Bengal: Sportstar. The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  24. ^ @excelsiorvirton (26 July 2024). "L'Excelsior Virton est ravi d'annoncer la signature du défenseur central d'1m90, Florentin Pogba" (Tweet) (in French) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "Mercato : Florentin Pogba va jouer pour N'Golo Kanté" (in French). OneFootball. 26 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Florentin Pogba Signs With Atlanta United". beIN Sports. 5 February 2019. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
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  28. ^ "THE TOULON TOURNAMENT'S MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS : JAMES RODRIGUEZ FIRED COLOMBIA TO THE TITLE (13/16)". Festival Foot Espoirs. 8 May 2018. Archived from the original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
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  30. ^ "Cameroon 1-1 Guinea". Eurosport. 24 January 2015. Archived from the original on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
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  32. ^ "Didier Six names former captain Florentin Pogba in first Guinea squad". BBC Sport. 2 October 2019. Archived from the original on 3 October 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  33. ^ Florentin Pogba at Soccerway
  34. ^ "Florentin Pogba". national-football-teams.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.