Yoane Wissa facts for kids
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Wissa playing for DR Congo in 2024
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Yoane Wissa | ||
| Date of birth | 3 September 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Épinay-sous-Sénart, France | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward, left winger | ||
| Team information | |||
|
Current team
|
Newcastle United | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2010 | Épinay-sous-Sénart | ||
| 2010–2011 | Linas-Montlhéry | ||
| 2011–2013 | Épinay-sous-Sénart | ||
| 2013–2015 | Châteauroux | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2016 | Châteauroux II | 20 | (9) |
| 2015–2016 | Châteauroux | 23 | (7) |
| 2016–2018 | Angers | 2 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Angers II | 5 | (4) |
| 2017 | → Laval (loan) | 15 | (2) |
| 2017 | → Laval II (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | → Ajaccio (loan) | 20 | (9) |
| 2018–2021 | Lorient | 117 | (35) |
| 2021–2025 | Brentford | 137 | (45) |
| 2025– | Newcastle United | 19 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2020– | DR Congo | 43 | (12) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:32, 24 May 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:25, 1 July 2026 (UTC) |
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Yoane Wissa (born on 3 September 1996) is a talented professional footballer. He plays as a forward or left winger for the English club Newcastle United. Yoane was born in France, but he proudly represents the DR Congo national team in international matches.
Wissa started his journey in football at the Châteauroux academy. He began his senior career with the club in 2015. After playing for Angers, he joined Lorient in 2018. He helped Lorient win the Ligue 2 championship in the 2019–20 season. After one season in Ligue 1, he moved to Brentford in 2021. After four successful seasons with Brentford, Wissa joined Newcastle United in 2025. So far in his club career, he has played over 330 matches and scored nearly 100 goals. For his country, DR Congo, he has played 43 matches and scored 12 goals.
Yoane Wissa's Football Journey
Starting His Career
Yoane Wissa began playing football at the young age of seven. He started as a goalkeeper for his local youth club, Épinay-sous-Sénart. As he grew, he discovered his talent for playing in midfield and then as a forward. He also became skilled as a winger and a "number 10" (an attacking midfielder).
Wissa started his professional career as a forward with Châteauroux. He moved up from their reserve team to the first team during the 2015–16 season. He played 24 games and scored seven goals that season. In 2016, he transferred to Ligue 1 club Angers. He spent much of 2017 on loan to Ligue 2 clubs Laval and Ajaccio to gain more experience.
Shining at Lorient
In January 2018, Wissa joined Lorient, a club in Ligue 2. He quickly became an important player for them. Lorient earned promotion to Ligue 1 at the end of the 2019–20 season. Wissa was a key part of this success, scoring 15 goals in 28 games, which helped the club win the Ligue 2 championship.
During the 2020–21 season, Wissa played 38 games and scored 10 goals. Lorient managed to stay in Ligue 1 that season. Wissa left Lorient in August 2021, having played 128 games and scored 37 goals during his three and a half years there.
Premier League Adventure with Brentford
Making an Impact (2021–2022)
On 10 August 2021, Wissa moved to England to join Brentford, a club that had just been promoted to the Premier League. He signed a four-year contract. Even though he couldn't join the team for pre-season training due to eye surgery, Wissa quickly made an impact. He scored five goals in his first six games for the club!
He scored two goals in a big 7–0 win against Oldham Athletic in the EFL Cup on 21 September 2021. One of his goals, a fantastic bicycle kick, was voted Goal of the Round and even Goal of the Tournament! An ankle injury in October 2021 paused his scoring run, but he returned two months later. Wissa finished the 2021–22 season with 34 appearances and 10 goals.
Continued Success (2022–2024)
Wissa continued to play a vital role for Brentford, appearing in 40 games and scoring seven goals during the 2022–23 season. Brentford had a great season, nearly qualifying for a European competition. In May 2023, he signed a new three-year contract, showing his commitment to the club.
For the 2023–24 season, Wissa started as Brentford's main striker. He scored 12 goals in 36 games, making him the club's top scorer that season. He finished the season strongly, scoring eight goals in his last 13 league matches.
Record-Breaking Season (2024–2025)
At the start of the 2024–25 season, Wissa continued to lead the attack. He scored three goals in his first four Premier League games. In November 2024, he scored three goals in four appearances, which earned him a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month award. On 14 January 2025, Wissa scored his 37th Premier League goal in a 2–2 draw against Manchester City. This goal made him Brentford's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer! He ended the 2024–25 season with an impressive 20 goals in 39 games.
Joining Newcastle United
On 1 September 2025, Yoane Wissa made a big move to Newcastle United. He joined the club for a fee of £50 million, ending his four years with Brentford. He made his debut for Newcastle on 6 December in a 2–1 win against Burnley, becoming the 1000th player to represent the club in the league. A few days later, on 10 December, he played his first UEFA Champions League match, coming on as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen.
Wissa scored his first goal for Newcastle a week later, on 17 December, in an EFL Cup quarter-final match, helping his team to a 2–1 victory over Fulham. On 30 December, he scored his first league goal for the club in a 3–1 win against Burnley. He continued his scoring form into 2026, netting his first Champions League goal on 21 January in a 3–0 win over PSV Eindhoven.
Playing for His Country: DR Congo
Wissa received his first call-up to the DR Congo squad in October 2020. He scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Morocco. He scored his second goal in a World Cup qualifying match, also against Morocco.
Wissa was part of the DR Congo squad that qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He played in every match during the tournament and scored two goals as his team reached the third-place play-off. His excellent performances earned him a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
On 19 May 2026, Wissa was selected for the DR Congo squad to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made history on 17 June by scoring DR Congo's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal in their 1–1 draw against Portugal. This goal earned his country its first point in the tournament. On 27 June, he scored two goals and was named Man of the Match in a 3–1 victory over Uzbekistan. This win was DR Congo's first-ever World Cup victory and secured their place in the knockout stage! Wissa became the fourth African player to score three goals in a World Cup group stage. In the round of 32 match against England on 1 July, Wissa nearly scored again, but the ball hit the post. DR Congo eventually lost to England in a close match.
How Yoane Wissa Plays
Yoane Wissa is known for being a versatile player who can play in many different attacking positions, including as a winger, an attacking midfielder (number 10), or a forward. He is praised for his "pace and power," which makes him a constant threat to defenders. He is also good at taking on opponents and creating chances for his team. Wissa is also known for his strong "pressing abilities," meaning he works hard to win the ball back from the other team. At Brentford, he and Bryan Mbeumo formed a very effective attacking duo, scoring many goals together.
A Glimpse into His Life
Yoane Wissa was born in France, and his family comes from the Congo. He can speak the Lingala language. He became a French citizen in December 2000. Before deciding to focus entirely on football at age 15, he also enjoyed playing rugby union. In July 2021, Wissa faced a serious personal challenge that required medical attention, but he showed great strength and made a full recovery, continuing his football journey. In September 2025, he earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Football Business Management from the University of Portsmouth.
Achievements
Lorient
- Ligue 2: 2019–20
Individual
- Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2023
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