Jonathan David Age, Parents, Nationality, Girlfriend, Salary, Religion and Net Worth
Jonathan David signed for Lille on August 11, 2020, from KAA Gent for a reported transfer fee of €30 million.
| Jonathan David Biography |
|---|
| Full name | Jonathan Christian David |
| Nickname | “The Canadian Pearl” |
| Date of birth | Jan 14, 2000 |
| Age | 24 years |
| Place of birth | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Ethnicity | Haitian descent |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Citizenship | Canada, United States (by birth) |
| Father | Not publicly disclosed |
| Mother | Rose David (deceased in 2019) |
| Siblings | One sister (name not publicly disclosed) |
| Girlfriend | Currently single |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Position(s) | Forward |
| Current team | LOSC Lille |
| Joined | Aug 11, 2020 |
| Contract expires | Jun 30, 2025 |
| Jersey number | 9 |
| Previous Clubs | KAA Gent (2018-2020), Youth Clubs: Gloucester Dragons SA, Ottawa Gloucester SC, Ottawa Internationals SC |
| Foot | both |
| Salary | €2.5 Million Euro per year |
| Net Worth | $3 million |
| Market Value | €45.00 million |
| Achievements | Ligue 1 Champion (2020-2021), Canada Soccer Player of the Year (2019), Most expensive Canadian transfer to date |
| Social Media | Instagram: @jodavid |
Jonathan Christian David (born January 14, 2000) is a Canadian professional soccer forward currently playing for Ligue 1 club Lille and the Canada national team.
Although born in Brooklyn, New York, David spent his early years in Haiti, his parents’ native country, before immigrating to Ottawa, Canada, at the age of six. Raised in Ottawa’s vibrant Franco-Ontarian community, he honed his skills with various local youth clubs. In 2018, he embarked on his professional journey in Belgium with Gent, where he quickly made an impression, earning his first senior appearances. His breakout performances that year led to his recognition as Canada Soccer’s Male Player of the Year in 2019.
After two stellar seasons in Belgium, David secured a record-breaking move to French side Lille for a reported €30 million, making him the most expensive Canadian transfer in history. In his debut campaign, he was instrumental in Lille’s Ligue 1 title-winning season, further solidifying his reputation as one of Canada’s top football talents.
David’s international journey began in September 2018 when he made his debut for the Canadian national team. By September 2024, he had cemented his legacy by becoming Canada’s all-time leading scorer.
Jonathan David Early Life
Jonathan David was born in New York City to Haitian parents but relocated to Port-au-Prince as a baby, just three months after his birth. At six years old, his family emigrated from Haiti to Canada, eventually settling in Ottawa. David credits much of his early development to the Francophone public school École secondaire publique Louis-Riel, where he constantly practiced soccer. “Having the ball at my feet every day at Louis Riel helped a lot,” he noted.
David’s journey into organized soccer began at age ten with the Gloucester Dragons SA in Ottawa. A year later, he joined Ottawa Gloucester SC, playing for the Hornets until 2015. By 2016, he moved to Ottawa Internationals SC. From a young age, David set his sights on European football, showing little interest in Major League Soccer (MLS). His ambition was clear: he wanted to play professionally in Europe. A pivotal figure in his development was youth coach Hanny El-Magraby, whom David described as a mentor and a father figure during his early career.
Before signing with Belgian side Gent, David underwent trials at FC Salzburg and VfB Stuttgart but was not offered a contract by either club.
Jonathan David Club Career
Gent
David joined Belgian First Division A team Gent in January 2018. He made an immediate impression, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer on his professional debut against Zulte Waregem on August 4, 2018, in a 1–1 draw. Just five days later, he scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute of a Europa League qualifier against Jagiellonia Białystok, securing a 1–0 victory.
David’s goal-scoring spree continued in his next league match against Waasland-Beveren, where he came on as a substitute in the 71st minute and scored twice in a 4–1 win. With five goals in his first five appearances, Gent promptly extended his contract through 2022. In September 2019, his contract was further extended to 2023, reflecting his rising value to the team.
By the January 2020 transfer window, Gent chairman Ivan de Witte acknowledged that David had attracted significant attention from top European clubs, with his transfer value estimated at around €20 million.
Lille
2020–21: Ligue 1 Champion
On August 11, 2020, Jonathan David officially joined Ligue 1 side Lille on a five-year deal, reportedly for €30 million. This made him the most expensive Canadian football transfer to date. David made his competitive debut on August 22 in Lille’s season opener against Rennes. After a challenging start to the season, he scored his first goal for the club on November 22, finding the net in a 4–0 victory over Lorient.
David’s form picked up as the season progressed. He scored an extra-time winner against Reims to keep Lille level on points with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the top of the table. His goal-scoring streak continued, including a decisive goal in a 1–0 away win against PSG on April 3, Lille’s first league victory at Parc des Princes since 1996. On May 23, David netted in a 2–1 win over Angers, helping Lille secure the 2020–21 Ligue 1 title. He finished the season with 13 league goals, including 11 in the second half of the campaign, playing a crucial role in Lille’s championship run.
2021–Present
On November 2, 2021, David scored his first UEFA Champions League goal via a penalty in a 2–1 win over Sevilla. During the 2022–23 season, he tallied 24 Ligue 1 goals, securing third place on the league’s top scorers list, trailing only Kylian Mbappé and Alexandre Lacazette. In the following season, David netted 19 goals, finishing joint-second in the scoring charts, with Mbappé taking the top spot.
On October 2, 2024, David converted a penalty in a 1–0 win against defending Champions League holders Real Madrid, ending their unbeaten run since May 2023. On November 5, 2024, he scored against Juventus, becoming Lille’s all-time top scorer in European competitions with 13 goals.
International Career
Youth Teams
David first caught the attention of the Canadian youth national program in 2015, attending several under-15 camps. He later played for Canada’s under-17 team during the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, where he scored twice in a group-stage match against Suriname.
In May 2018, David represented Canada’s under-21 team at the Toulon Tournament. That same year, he was invited to join the United States under-20 team by Tab Ramos but declined the offer. David remained focused on his club career and was determined to represent Canada internationally.
Senior Career
Jonathan David’s journey with the Canadian national team began on August 30, 2018, when he received his first senior call-up for a CONCACAF Nations League qualifier against the U.S. Virgin Islands. He made an unforgettable debut on September 9, scoring twice in an 8–0 triumph. His rapid rise continued as he was named to Canada’s squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he showcased his goal-scoring prowess. In the group stage, he netted a hat-trick in a commanding 7–0 victory over Cuba. Although Canada’s journey ended in the quarterfinals with a loss to Haiti, David emerged as the tournament’s Golden Boot winner, scoring six goals.
2019 was a record-setting year for David, as he tallied eight international goals, breaking the Canadian men’s single-year scoring record. His outstanding performances earned him the prestigious Canadian Men’s Player of the Year award, cementing his place among the country’s finest footballers.
David’s impact was further felt during Canada’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. On June 8, 2021, he scored a hat-trick in a crucial 4–0 win against Suriname, contributing nine goals throughout the qualifiers. His efforts helped secure Canada’s spot in the World Cup, where he was part of the 26-man squad. However, Canada faced tough competition in the group stage, suffering defeats to Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco. Despite dominating parts of their opening match against Belgium, a missed penalty and a 1–0 loss set the tone for a disappointing campaign.
In June 2023, David continued his international exploits, playing a pivotal role in Canada’s journey to the CONCACAF Nations League Finals. He scored the opening goal in a semifinal victory over Panama, although Canada fell 2–0 to the United States in the final.
David made history again during the 2024 Copa América. He scored Canada’s first-ever goal in the tournament, securing a 1–0 win over Peru. His penalty prowess was on display in the quarterfinals against Venezuela, where his calm finish contributed to Canada’s shootout victory. Although Canada narrowly missed third place after losing to Uruguay on penalties, David’s goal in regulation showcased his value.
On September 7, 2024, David scored his 29th international goal in a friendly against the United States, tying him with Cyle Larin as Canada’s top scorer. Just weeks later, both players reached 30 goals in a match against Panama. Finally, on November 19, David scored his record-breaking 31st goal in a CONCACAF Nations League match against Suriname, becoming Canada’s all-time leading men’s scorer.
Style of play
Jonathan David is a dynamic forward who can adapt to various roles on the pitch. He primarily plays as a second striker in a 4-4-2 formation or can shift to an attacking midfield position.
Jonathan David is a dynamic forward who can adapt to various roles on the pitch. He primarily operates as a second striker in a 4-4-2 formation or can shift to an attacking midfield position. Additionally, he’s adept at playing as a traditional center forward, showcasing a notable talent for scoring. When positioned as a second striker, David complements the main striker by positioning himself slightly behind, exploiting defensive gaps with his remarkable speed. His ability to burst into these spaces at high velocities is one of his standout qualities. His game also involves intricate short passes and dynamic interplay with teammates, leveraging his excellent ball control and quick thinking. This makes him particularly effective during counterattacks, where his speed is again a key asset. David’s tactical acumen, commitment to defensive duties, and his capacity to anticipate plays are complemented by his proactive approach in pressing opponents.
Jonathan David Personal Life
David shares a strong friendship with Lille’s Angel Gomes and maintains a close bond with former teammate Timothy Weah.
Honours
Lille
- Ligue 1: 2020–21
- Trophée des Champions: 2021
Individual
- CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Boot: 2019
- CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2019
- Belgian Pro League top scorer: 2019–20 (shared with Dieumerci Mbokani)
- Canada Soccer Men’s Player of the Year: 2019, 2024
- Jean-Claude Bouvy Trophy: 2019–20
- CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI: 2023
- UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: November 2024
Jonathan David is a versatile forward who can play as a second striker, an attacking midfielder, or an out-and-out striker, known for his speed, tactical intelligence, and ability to adapt to different roles on the pitch.
Jonathan David speaks English and French.
No, Jonathan David has not played for Liverpool. He currently plays for Lille OSC in Ligue 1 and has been with the club since his transfer from KAA Gent in 2020. Although there have been mentions of Liverpool’s interest in him in transfer rumors, he has not been part of their squad.
