Théo Bongonda Explained

Théo Bongonda
Full Name:Théo Bongonda Mbul'Ofeko Batombo
Birth Date:20 November 1995
Birth Place:Charleroi, Belgium
Height:1.77m
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Spartak Moscow
Clubnumber:77
Youthyears1:2008–2013
Youthclubs1:JMG Academy
Youthyears2:2013
Youthclubs2:Zulte-Waregem
Years1:2013–2014
Clubs1:Zulte-Waregem
Caps1:33
Goals1:4
Years2:2015–2018
Clubs2:Celta
Caps2:61
Goals2:4
Years3:2017–2018
Clubs3:Trabzonspor (loan)
Caps3:3
Goals3:0
Years4:2018
Clubs4:Zulte-Waregem (loan)
Caps4:11
Goals4:5
Years5:2018–2019
Clubs5:Zulte-Waregem
Caps5:28
Goals5:8
Years6:2019–2022
Clubs6:Genk
Caps6:91
Goals6:33
Years7:2022–2023
Clubs7:Cádiz
Caps7:31
Goals7:4
Years8:2023–
Clubs8:Spartak Moscow
Caps8:30
Goals8:7
Nationalyears1:2013–2014
Nationalteam1:Belgium U19
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalyears2:2014–2016
Nationalteam2:Belgium U21
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:2
Nationalyears3:2022–
Nationalteam3:DR Congo
Nationalcaps3:19
Nationalgoals3:3
Club-Update:18 August 2024
Ntupdate:23:44, 10 February 2024 (UTC)

Théo Bongonda Mbul'Ofeko Batombo (born 20 November 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Russian club Spartak Moscow. Born in Belgium, he plays for the DR Congo national team.

Club career

Zulte Waregem

Born in Charleroi, Bongonda began his career in JMG Academy in 2008, aged 13. In January 2013, he joined Belgian Pro League team SV Zulte Waregem, initially assigned to the youth setup.[1]

Bongonda made his professional debut on 25 September 2013, starting in a 2–1 away win against KFC VW Hamme, for the season's Belgian Cup.[2] His league debut came on 15 December, coming on as a second half substitute in a 3–0 home win against Lierse SK.[3]

Bongonda scored his first professional goal on 15 January 2014, netting his side's first in a 2–3 away loss against Cercle Brugge KSV.[4] On 20 April 2014, he scored his first league goal, netting the first in a 3–2 away loss against KSC Lokeren.[5]

Celta Vigo

On 9 January 2015, Bongonda signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with La Liga side Celta de Vigo.[6] He made his debut in the competition on the 26th, coming on as a late substitute for Nemanja Radoja in a 2–1 away loss against Getafe CF.[7]

Trabzonspor

On 15 June 2017, Bongonda joined Trabzonspor on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy.[8] He however ended up being on the bench more than on the pitch.

Zulte Waregem

During the winter transfer window of the 2017–18 season, Bongonda rejoined Zulte-Waregem on loan. On 4 July 2018, he joined Essevee permanently on a four-year contract, until 30 June 2022.[9]

Genk

Bongonda joined fellow Belgian First Division A club Genk in summer 2019 for a club-record fee.[10]

Bongonda scored the game winner for Genk against Standard Liège in the Belgian Cup Final on 25 April 2021.[11]

On 23 July 2021, Bongonda scored Genk's first goal in the 2021–22 Belgian First Division A season, securing a 1–1 draw against the same opponents.[12]

Cádiz

On 26 August 2022, Bongonda Edris returned to Spain after signing a four-year contract with Cádiz in the top tier.[13]

Spartak Moscow

In July 2023, Bongonda agreed to move to Russian club Spartak. The contract is calculated until 2026. It is alleged that Spartak paid Cadiz 10 million euros.[14]

International career

Bongonda was born in Belgium to a Congolese father and Belgian mother.[15] He is a youth international for Belgium. In January 2022, Fifa accepted his eligibility join the DR Congo national team.[16] He debuted for the DR Congo national team in a 1–0 friendly loss to Bahrain on 1 February 2022.[17]

Career statistics

Club

[18]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Zulte Waregem2013–14Belgian First Division A1905100241
2014–15Belgian First Division A143203000193
Total3337130435
Celta Vigo2014–15La Liga81100091
2015–16La Liga2323000262
2016–17La Liga301616000422
Total6141016000775
Trabzonspor (loan)2017–18Süper Lig30320062
Zulte Waregem (loan)2017–18Belgian First Division A1150020135
Zulte Waregem2018–19Belgian First Division A2882000963914
Genk2019–20Belgian First Division A2251060295
2020–21Belgian First Division A3516423918
2021–22Belgian First Division A34120000113513
Total913352601110336
Cádiz2022–23La Liga31410324
Spartak Moscow2023–24Russian Premier League257101358
2024–25Russian Premier League400040
Total297101398
Career total2876438715012735278

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
DR Congo202230
202383
202480
Total193

Scores and results list DR Congo's goal tally first.

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 14 June 2023 Stade de la Réunification, Douala, Cameroon 1–0 1–0 Friendly
2. 9 September 2023 Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo 1–0 2–0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3. 15 November 2023 2–0 2–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Genk

2020–21[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Eerste JMG-speler boven water bij Zulte Waregem. First JMG player above average at Zulte Waregem. Sport Voetbal Magazine. nl. 20 August 2013. 11 January 2015.
  2. Web site: Zulte Waregem ontsnapt bij Hamme. Zulte Waregem escaped at Hamme. Sporza. nl. 25 September 2013. 11 January 2015.
  3. Web site: Zulte Waregem spoelt Europese kater door. Zulte Waregem washes through European hangover. Sporza. nl. 15 December 2013. 11 January 2015.
  4. Web site: Zulte Waregem schaart zich met verlies bij laatste vier. Zulte Waregem endorses with losses at final four. Sporza. nl. 15 January 2014. 11 January 2015.
  5. Web site: Zulte Waregem laat eerste plek liggen in Lokeren. Zulte Waregem laat eerste plek liggen in Lokeren. Sporza. nl. 20 April 2014. 11 January 2015.
  6. Web site: El Real Club Celta se refuerza con el internacional Sub-21 belga Théo Bongonda. Real Club Celta de Vigo bolsters with under-21 Belgian international Théo Bongonda. Celta's official website. es. 9 January 2015. 11 January 2015.
  7. Web site: El Getafe por fin canta victoria. Getafe finally sings victory. Marca. es. 26 January 2015. 3 February 2015.
  8. Web site: El Real Club Celta se refuerza con el internacional Sub-21 belga Théo Bongonda. Théo Bongonda swapping Spain for Turkey. Gazet Van Antwerpen. nl. 16 June 2017. 16 June 2017.
  9. Web site: Théo Bongonda definitief naar Essevee. ESSEVEE - SV Zulte Waregem. nl. 5 July 2018.
  10. Web site: Théo Bongonda 2019/20 – scout report. Belgian Football Analysis. 4 September 2020. 31 July 2021.
  11. Web site: Ito en Bongonda schieten Racing Genk naar 5e Beker van België. Sporza. 25 April 2021. 31 July 2021. Dutch.
  12. Web site: Bongonda rescues Onuachu's Genk from defeat in First Division A opener against Standard Liege. Goal. 23 July 2021. 31 July 2021.
  13. Web site: Théo Bongonda firma cuatro temporadas. Théo Bongonda signs for four seasons. Cádiz CF. es. 26 August 2022. 26 August 2022.
  14. Web site: "Спартак" объявил о переходе нападающего из испанского клуба. ru. 2023-07-12. Sportrbc.ru.
  15. Web site: Théo Bongonda n'a pas peur d'un changement de style : "Si nous pouvons obtenir des résultats avec plus de discipline, alors je signe". 8 December 2021. Walfoot.be.
  16. Web site: Théo Bongonda – UEFA.com . uefa.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131220072746/http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=250064058/profile/index.html . 2013-12-20.
  17. Web site: Bahrain beat DR Congo in friendly | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN. DT News.
  18. Web site: Théo Bongonda » Club matches . worldfootball.net .
  19. Web site: Onuachu with an assist as Genk clinch Belgian Cup title after Standard Liege win. Goal. 26 April 2021. 29 April 2021.