Jonathan David facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jonathan David

David with Lille in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Jonathan Christian David
Date of birth	(2000-01-14) January 14, 2000 (age 25)
Place of birth	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Juventus
Number	7
Youth career
2010–2011	Gloucester Dragons
2011–2015	Ottawa Gloucester Hornets
2016–2018	Ottawa Internationals
2018–2019	Gent
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2020	Gent	60	(30)
2020–2025	Lille	178	(87)
2025–	Juventus	0	(0)
International career‡
2017	Canada U17	3	(2)
2018	Canada U21	2	(0)
2018–	Canada	67	(36)
Medal record Men's soccer Representing  Canada CONCACAF Nations League Runner-up 2023 United States Third 2025 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:00, July 4, 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of June 29, 2025

Jonathan Christian David (born January 14, 2000) is a professional soccer player. He plays as a forward for the Italian club Juventus. He also plays for the Canada national team.

Jonathan was born in Brooklyn, United States. When he was a baby, his family moved to Haiti. At age six, they moved to Ottawa, Canada. He grew up in the Franco-Ontarian community of East Ottawa. He played for several youth clubs there. In 2018, he moved to Belgium to start his professional career with Gent. In 2019, Jonathan was named the male Canada Soccer Player of the Year.

After two seasons with Gent, Jonathan joined the French team Lille in 2020. This transfer cost about €30 million, making him the most expensive Canadian soccer player ever. He was also the first Canadian to play in France. He helped Lille win the 2020–21 Ligue 1 title in his first season. He left Lille in 2025 as the club's third all-time top goalscorer.

Jonathan first played for Canada in September 2018. In November 2024, he became his country's all-time top goalscorer.

Early Life and Soccer Start

Jonathan David was born in New York City. His parents were from Haiti. When he was three months old, his family moved to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. At age six, they moved from Haiti to Ottawa, Canada. He went to a French-speaking public school called École secondaire publique Louis-Riel. He said this school helped him because he always had a soccer ball with him.

Jonathan started playing organized soccer at age ten. He joined a club called Gloucester Dragons SA in Ottawa. A year later, he played for Ottawa Gloucester SC's Hornets team until 2015. In 2016, he joined Ottawa Internationals SC. Growing up, Jonathan watched European soccer. He did not want to play professionally in North America. His dream was to play in Europe. He credits his youth coach, Hanny El-Magraby, as a mentor. This coach helped him achieve his dream. Before joining Gent, Jonathan tried out for FC Salzburg and VfB Stuttgart. Both clubs did not sign him.

Club Career Highlights

Playing for Gent

In January 2018, Jonathan David joined Gent, a team in Belgium. He played his first professional game on August 4, 2018. He scored a goal in the last moments of the game. This helped his team get a 1–1 draw against Zulte Waregem. Just five days later, he scored another goal in a Europa League qualifier. This goal helped Gent win 1–0.

Three days after that, he scored two more goals in a league game. This helped Gent win 4–1. After scoring five goals in his first five games, Gent gave Jonathan a longer contract. He signed another extension in September 2019. In January 2020, Gent's chairman said many big clubs were interested in Jonathan. His value was estimated at €20 million.

Time at Lille

Winning the League Title

Jonathan David and Angel Gomes playing against Salzburg in 2021

On August 11, 2020, Lille, a team in France's Ligue 1, signed Jonathan David. He signed a five-year contract. The transfer fee was reported to be €30 million. This made him the most expensive Canadian player ever. He was also the first Canadian to play in Ligue 1. He played his first game for Lille on August 22 against Rennes.

After a tough start, Jonathan scored his first goal for Lille on November 22. It was the last goal in a 4–0 win against Lorient. He became the first Canadian to score in Ligue 1. He then scored a winning goal against Reims. This helped Lille tie with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the top of the league. On February 3, 2021, Jonathan scored as Lille beat Bordeaux 3–0.

He continued his good form, scoring two goals against Nantes on February 7. This was his fifth goal in five games. On April 3, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 away win over PSG. This was Lille's first away league win against PSG since 1996. On May 23, he scored a goal in a 2–1 win over Angers. This win helped Lille secure the 2020–21 Ligue 1 title. Jonathan finished his first season with 13 league goals. Eleven of these goals came in the second half of the season.

Later Seasons at Lille

On November 2, 2021, Jonathan scored his first UEFA Champions League goal. It was a penalty in a 2–1 win against Sevilla. In the 2022–23 season, he scored 24 goals in Ligue 1. This was his best personal record. He finished third on the top scorers list. In the next season, he scored 19 goals. He was joint-second top scorer.

On October 2, 2024, he scored a penalty in a 1–0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. This ended Real Madrid's unbeaten streak since May 2023. On November 5, 2024, he scored a goal against Juventus. This made him Lille’s top scorer in European competitions with 13 goals. On May 14, 2025, Jonathan announced he would leave Lille at the end of the season. He spent five years with the club. He left as the club's third all-time top goalscorer.

Joining Juventus

On July 4, 2025, Jonathan David signed with Serie A club Juventus. He joined them after five seasons with Lille. His contract with Juventus is until June 30, 2030.

International Career

Youth Teams

Jonathan David was first noticed by the Canadian youth national team in 2015. He attended several under-15 camps. He was often called up to the Canada under-17 camps. He played for Canada at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship. He scored two goals against Suriname in a group game. In May 2018, Jonathan was called up to the Canadian Under-21 team. This was for the 2018 Toulon Tournament.

Jonathan was also invited to play for the United States under-20 team in 2018. He said no to this invitation. He wanted to focus on his club career. He also wanted to play for Canada.

Senior National Team

David playing for Canada at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Jonathan received his first call-up to the senior Canada team on August 30, 2018. This was for a CONCACAF Nations League qualifier. He played his first senior game on September 9. He scored two goals in an 8–0 win against the U.S. Virgin Islands. Jonathan was chosen for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad on May 30, 2019. In Canada's last group game against Cuba, he scored three goals in a 7–0 win. Canada was eliminated by Haiti in the quarter-finals. However, Jonathan finished as the top scorer of the tournament with six goals.

After Canada's 6–0 win over Cuba on September 7, 2019, Jonathan set a new record. He scored eight goals for Canada in 2019. This was the most in a single year. Because of his great performance, he was named the 2019 Canadian Men's Player of the Year.

On June 8, 2021, Jonathan scored his second hat-trick for Canada. It was in a 4–0 win over Suriname. This was a 2022 World Cup qualification match. He scored nine goals during the entire 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. Five of these goals came in the final round. In November 2022, he was part of the 26-player squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In Canada's first match against Belgium, his teammate Alphonso Davies took a penalty kick instead of Jonathan. Davies missed the penalty. Canada lost the game 1–0. The team also lost their other matches against Croatia and Morocco.

In June 2023, Jonathan was part of Canada's squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals. He scored Canada's first goal in their win against Panama. But Canada lost 2–0 to the United States in the final.

In June 2024, he was named to Canada's squad for the 2024 Copa América. The new coach, Jesse Marsch, confirmed Jonathan would be the team's first choice penalty taker. In their second group game, Jonathan scored Canada's first ever goal at a Copa América. It was in a 1–0 win against Peru. This was Canada's first win in the competition. In the quarter-final against Venezuela, the game went to penalty kicks. Jonathan scored Canada's first penalty. Canada won 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Jonathan did not start the third-place match against Uruguay. However, he scored to give Canada a 2–1 lead. After Luis Suarez tied the game, Canada lost 4–3 on penalties. Jonathan scored his penalty attempt in that shootout.

On September 7, 2024, in a friendly game against the United States, he scored his 29th international goal. This made him Canada's joint all-time top men's scorer with teammate Cyle Larin. On October 15, 2024, both Jonathan and Larin scored their 30th international goal. This was in a friendly game against Panama national football team. On November 19, 2024, in a 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League A game against Suriname, he scored his 31st goal. He became Canada's sole all-time top men's scorer.

How Jonathan David Plays

Jonathan is a very flexible forward. He often plays as a second striker. This means he plays just behind another main striker. He can also play as an attacking midfielder. He is known for his ability to score goals. As a second striker, he finds open spaces in the defense. He uses his speed to attack these areas. He is also good at making short passes and working with teammates. He plays best with his close ball control and quick passes.

Because of his speed, Jonathan is also very good on counterattacks. These are quick attacks after his team wins the ball back. He is also known for being smart about tactics. He works hard to defend and can understand the game well. He is always willing to pressure opposing players to win the ball back.

Personal Life

Jonathan David is good friends with his former Lille teammate Angel Gomes. He is also friends with former Lille player Timothy Weah.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Awards and Honours

Lille

• Ligue 1: 2020–21
• Trophée des Champions: 2021

Individual

• CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Boot: 2019
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2019
• CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI: 2023
• Belgian Pro League top scorer: 2019–20 (shared with Dieumerci Mbokani)
• Canada Soccer Men's Player of the Year: 2019, 2024
• UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: November 2024
• Jean-Claude Bouvy Trophy: 2019–20

See also

In Spanish: Jonathan David para niños