| Chris Forino-Joseph | |
| Fullname: | Christian Kai John Forino-Joseph[1] |
| Birth Date: | 2000 4, df=y |
| Birth Place: | Islington, England |
| Height: | 1.91 m |
| Position: | Defender |
| Currentclub: | Bolton Wanderers |
| Clubnumber: | 21 |
| Youthclubs1: | Soccer Chance Academy |
| Youthyears2: | 2010–2016 |
| Youthclubs2: | Brentford |
| Youthyears3: | –2018 |
| Youthclubs3: | Cheshunt |
| Youthyears4: | 2018–2019 |
| Youthclubs4: | Colchester United |
| Years1: | 2019–2020 |
| Clubs1: | Wingate & Finchley |
| Caps1: | 16 |
| Goals1: | 1 |
| Years2: | 2020 |
| Clubs2: | Loughborough University |
| Caps2: | 6 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2021–2024 |
| Clubs3: | Wycombe Wanderers |
| Caps3: | 75 |
| Goals3: | 5 |
| Years4: | 2024– |
| Clubs4: | Bolton Wanderers |
| Caps4: | 2 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2024– |
| Nationalteam1: | Saint Lucia |
| Nationalcaps1: | 2 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 1 |
| Club-Update: | 19:57, 26 September 2024 (UTC) |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 10:00, 10 September 2024 (UTC) |
Christian Kai John Forino-Joseph (born 26 April 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Bolton Wanderers. Born in England, he plays for the Saint Lucia national football team.
He is a product of the Brentford Academy and played his first senior football with non-League clubs Wingate & Finchley and Loughborough University.
A defender, Forino-Joseph began his youth career with spells in the Soccer Chance Academy, the Brentford Academy and Cheshunt U18.[2] [3] [4] After a break from football to focus on education, he signed his first professional contract with the U23 team at League Two club Colchester United in July 2018. Forino-Joseph was released when his one-year contract expired and joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Wingate & Finchley in September 2019.[5] He made 20 appearances and scored one goal during the COVID-19-affected 2019–20 season.[6] Forino had a spell at United Counties League Premier Division club Loughborough University during the first half of the 2020–21 season, which was again abandoned early due to COVID-19.[7]
After a trial period, Forino-Joseph signed a one-year contract with Championship club Wycombe Wanderers on 27 April 2021.[8] Following the club's relegation to League One shortly after he arrived at Adams Park, he had a long spell out injured and undertook a lengthy course of conditioning with the club's Development Squad physiotherapist.[9] Forino-Joseph made his senior debut with a start in a 3–1 EFL Trophy group stage defeat to Aston Villa U21 on 31 August 2021. His second appearance came with a start in a FA Cup first round match versus Hartlepool United on 6 November and he scored the first senior goal for the club in the 2–2 draw.
In April 2024, Forino was allegedly racially abused by Blackpool fans.[10]
He was offered a new contract by Wycombe at the end of the 2023–24 season.[11]
On 14 June 2024, it was announced that Forino-Joseph would join EFL League One side Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer, signing a three-year contract set to be activated on 1 July 2024.[12] [13]
Forino-Joseph was eligible for England, Italy and Saint Lucia, and in December 2022, pledged his international allegiance to Saint Lucia.[14] He received his first call-up to the Saint Lucia national team in November 2023.[15]
In 2021, Forino-Joseph gave up a place at university in order to become a professional footballer. He is of Saint Lucian and Italian descent.[16]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Wingate & Finchley | 2019–20[17] | Isthmian League Premier Division | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ― | 4 | 0 | 20 | 1 | ||
| Loughborough University | 2020–21[18] | United Counties League Premier Division | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ― | 3 | 1 | 9 | 1 | ||
| Wycombe Wanderers | 2021–22 | League One | 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 2 | |
| 2022–23 | League One | 30 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 4 | ||
| 2023–24 | League One | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 38 | 2 | ||
| Total | 75 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 90 | 8 | |||
| Bolton Wanderers | 2024–25 | League One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Career total | 99 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 124 | 10 | |||
Wycombe Wanderers
Individual