Carlos Baleba

Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba (born 3 January 2004) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Cameroon national team.

Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba was born on 4 January 2004 in Douala, Cameroon to Cameroonian-French parents. Baleba holds both Cameroonian and French citizenship from his parents. His father is a former professional footballer who played in South Africa and Cameroon. He grew up in the neighbourhood of Akwa and is of Bassa descent. Baleba started playing football at Futur Soccer FC in Douala and then joined École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun academy centre at the age of 13.

Baleba was transferred to Ligue 1 side Lille in January 2022, having already attracted the scouts of several other European clubs. Having arrived along with another youngster, Joffrey Bazié; the two Africans first joined Lille's reserve team, that played in Championnat National 3 that season.

Despite being in the matchday squad multiple times towards the end of the 2021–22 Ligue 1 season, Baleba's professional debut had to wait until the 2022–23 season where he would break into the first team of newly appointed manager Paulo Fonseca.

Baleba made his professional debut for Lille on 7 August 2022, replacing Angel Gomes during a 4–1 Ligue 1 win against Auxerre.

On 29 August 2023, Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion announced the signing of Baleba on a five-year contract. According to various reports, the financial details of the transfer include an initial and base fee of €27 million, a maximum of €3 million add-ons depending on sporting conditions and a 15% sell-on clause. Baleba made his debut for Brighton in a 3–1 home victory against Bournemouth on 24 September, coming on as a 73rd minute substitute for Mahmoud Dahoud. On 8 October, Baleba made his first start for Brighton in a 2–2 draw against Liverpool.

On 18 September 2024, Baleba scored his first goal in Brighton colours in a 3–2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup. Just over a week later on 28 September, Baleba scored his first league goal for the Seagulls in a 4–2 loss to Chelsea. On 26 April 2025, Baleba scored an injury-time winner with a powerful shot outside the box in a 3–2 victory against West Ham United, which was later voted the Premier League Goal of the Month.

Baleba made his debut for the Cameroon national team on 8 June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier 4–1 victory against Cape Verde at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium. He started the game and played 80 minutes.

Balleba was included in the list of Cameroonian players selected by coach David Pagou to participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Known for his stamina, dribbling and passing range, Baleba is a complete and powerful central midfielder who can play in a box-to-box role or as a holding midfielder. He grew up idolising Paul Pogba, Kevin De Bruyne, Thiago Alcântara as well as former Lille players Nicolas Pépé and Idrissa Gueye.

As of match played 4 March 2026

As of match played 9 January 2026

Individual

• Brighton & Hove Albion Young Player of the Season: 2024–25

• Premier League Goal of the Month: April 2025

• The Athletic Alternative Premier league Team of the Season: 2024–25

• Carlos Baleba at Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.

• Carlos Baleba at Premier League (archived former page)

• Carlos Baleba at Soccerway

• Carlos Baleba at Athletic updates