Yoane Wissa

From humble beginnings as a youth goalkeeper to a prolific forward in the Premier League, Yoane Wissa's journey in professional football is a testament to adaptability and sheer determination. His dynamic play and crucial goalscoring prowess have made him a fan favorite and a formidable force on the pitch. Now at Newcastle United, his story continues to unfold on football's biggest stages, inspiring fans with every goal. Wissa's incredible career trajectory saw him transition from a youth goalkeeper to a versatile and prolific forward. He achieved significant success at Lorient and Brentford, ultimately becoming the latter's record Premier League goalscorer. His standout performances for the DR Congo national team, including in the Africa Cup of Nations, earned him widespread recognition.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

Wissa's incredible career trajectory saw him transition from a youth goalkeeper to a versatile and prolific forward.
He achieved significant success at Lorient and Brentford, ultimately becoming the latter's record Premier League goalscorer.
His standout performances for the DR Congo national team, including in the Africa Cup of Nations, earned him widespread recognition.

From Goalkeeper to Goalscorer

Imagine starting your football journey between the posts, as a goalkeeper — that was Yoane Wissa at just seven years old. He played for his local youth club, Épinay-sous-Sénart, before a pivotal shift saw him move through midfield and ultimately into the forward line. This early adaptability foreshadowed the versatile player he would become, capable of excelling in various attacking roles.

Forging Early Pathways

Wissa began his senior career with Châteauroux, an academy product who swiftly climbed from the reserve team to the first squad. During the 2015–16 Championnat National season, he impressed with 24 appearances and seven goals, catching the eye of bigger clubs. A move to Ligue 1 side Angers followed, but playing time proved scarce, leading to loan spells in Ligue 2 with Laval and Ajaccio where he honed his skills.

Lorient: Finding His Stride

In January 2018, Wissa found his home at Ligue 2 club Lorient, where he truly began to shine. His potent goalscoring — 15 goals in 28 appearances during the 2019–20 season — was instrumental in Lorient's triumph as Ligue 2 champions, securing their promotion back to the top flight. He continued his impressive form in Ligue 1, scoring 10 goals in 38 appearances as Lorient narrowly avoided relegation, concluding his 3.5-year spell with 37 goals in 128 appearances.

The Premier League Beckons

The Premier League called, and in August 2021, Wissa made a significant move to newly-promoted Brentford for a reported £8.5 million. This transfer had been two years in the making, and despite undergoing emergency eye surgery that forced him to miss pre-season, Wissa made an immediate, electrifying impact. He scored five goals in his first six appearances, including a stunning bicycle kick against Oldham Athletic that was voted Goal of the Round for the EFL Cup, showcasing his flair and resilience.

Brentford's Record Breaker

Wissa continued to be a vital asset for Brentford, consistently contributing goals and high-energy performances. After Ivan Toney's ban in 2023–24, Wissa stepped up magnificently, becoming the club's top scorer with 12 goals from 36 appearances. The 2024–25 season saw him reach new heights; on January 14, 2025, his 37th Premier League goal made him Brentford's all-time record Premier League goalscorer, a testament to his prolific four-year tenure.

A New Chapter: Newcastle United

On September 1, 2025, Wissa completed a blockbuster £50 million transfer to Newcastle United, marking a significant new chapter in his career. His debut on December 6, 2025, made him the 1000th player to represent the club in the league. Days later, he made his UEFA Champions League debut and soon after netted his first goal for the Magpies in the EFL Cup, followed by his first Champions League goal against PSV Eindhoven in January 2026.

Dominating for DR Congo

On the international stage, Wissa proudly represents the DR Congo national team, earning his maiden call-up in October 2020. He quickly made his mark, scoring his first two international goals on only his second and third caps. A standout performance came at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where his two goals helped lead DR Congo to the third-place play-off, earning him a coveted spot in the Team of the Tournament.

The Complete Forward

Yoane Wissa is lauded for his exceptional versatility, comfortably operating as a winger, number 10, or central forward. He possesses electrifying pace and power, making him a constant threat to get in behind defenses. His ability to take on players, create overloads, and apply relentless pressing further cements his reputation as a truly dynamic and modern attacker.

Resilience Beyond the Pitch

Born in France of Congolese descent, Wissa speaks the Lingala language and acquired French nationality through his parents. Beyond his sporting achievements, Wissa has shown incredible personal resilience; prior to committing to football, he played rugby union. Most notably, he made a full recovery from emergency eye surgery following an acid attack in July 2021, a testament to his indomitable spirit.

Career Statistics: Club

Club	Season	League	National cup	League cup	Europe	Total
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Châteauroux II	2013–14	CFA 2 Group G	1	0	―	―	―	1	0
2014–15	CFA 2 Group B	14	9	―	―	―	14	9
2015–16	CFA 2 Group B	5	0	―	―	―	5	0
Total	20	9	―	―	―	20	9
Châteauroux	2015–16	Championnat National	23	7	0	0	1	0	―	24	7
Angers	2016–17	Ligue 1	2	0	0	0	0	0	―	2	0
Angers II	2016–17	CFA 2 Group A	5	4	―	―	―	5	4
Laval (loan)	2016–17	Ligue 2	15	2	—	—	―	15	2
Laval II (loan)	2016–17	CFA 2 Group A	1	0	―	―	―	1	0
Ajaccio (loan)	2017–18	Ligue 2	20	8	2	2	1	0	―	23	10
Lorient	2017–18	Ligue 2	15	4	1	0	―	―	16	4
2018–19	Ligue 2	36	6	1	0	3	0	―	40	6
2019–20	Ligue 2	28	15	4	1	0	0	―	32	16
2020–21	Ligue 1	38	10	2	1	—	―	40	11
Total	117	35	8	2	3	0	―	128	37
Brentford	2021–22	Premier League	30	7	1	0	3	3	―	34	10
2022–23	Premier League	38	7	1	0	1	0	―	40	7
2023–24	Premier League	34	12	0	0	2	0	―	36	12
2024–25	Premier League	35	19	1	0	3	1	―	39	20
Total	137	45	3	0	9	4	―	149	49
Newcastle United	2025–26	Premier League	12	1	2	0	3	1	4	1	21	3
Career total	252	111	15	4	17	5	4	1	287	121

Career Statistics: International Appearances

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
DR Congo	2020	2	1
2022	6	1
2023	8	1
2024	13	2
2025	6	3
2026	1	1
Total	36	9

International Goals for DR Congo

As of match played 25 March 2026, Yoane Wissa has scored 9 goals for the DR Congo national team.

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1	13 October 2020	Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco	 Morocco	1–1	1–1	Friendly	
2	25 March 2022	Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo	 Morocco	1–0	1–1	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification	
3	15 November 2023	Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo	 Mauritania	1–0	2–0	2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	
4	17 January 2024	Laurent Pokou Stadium, San-Pédro, Ivory Coast	 Zambia	1–1	1–1	2023 Africa Cup of Nations	
5	2 February 2024	Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast	 Guinea	2–1	3–1	2023 Africa Cup of Nations	
6	8 June 2025	Stade de la Source, Orléans, France	 Madagascar	2–0	3–1	Friendly	
7	5 September 2025	Juba Stadium, Juba, South Sudan	 South Sudan	4–0	4–1	2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	
8	9 September 2025	Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo	 Senegal	2–0	2–3	2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	
9	25 March 2026	Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico	 Bermuda	2–0	2–0	Friendly

Honours and Accolades

Ligue 2: 2019–20 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2023

Article

Yoane Wissa

Yoane Wissa (born 3 September 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or left winger for Premier League club Newcastle United. Born in France, he plays for the DR Congo national team.

A product of the Châteauroux academy, Wissa began his senior career with the club in 2015. Following a spell with Angers, he moved to Lorient in 2018. He was a part of their team that finished the 2019–20 Ligue 2 season as champions. After one season in Ligue 1, he joined Brentford in 2021. After four seasons at Brentford, Wissa joined Newcastle United in 2025.

Club career

Early years

Wissa began his youth career as a goalkeeper at the age of seven. He played for his local youth club Épinay-sous-Sénart, before moving to midfield and then the forward line. As his youth career progressed, he also became adept as a winger and number 10. Wissa began his senior career as a forward with Châteauroux and progressed through the reserve team to break into the first team during the 2015–16 Championnat National season, which he finished with 24 appearances and seven goals. A transfer to Ligue 1 club Angers followed in 2016, but Wissa managed just two substitute appearances during the first half of the 2016–17 season and he played much of 2017 away on loan at Ligue 2 clubs Laval and Ajaccio. Wissa departed the Stade Raymond Kopa in January 2018.

Lorient

Wissa warming up for Lorient in 2019.

In January 2018, Wissa transferred to Ligue 2 club Lorient and immediately established himself at the promotion-chasing club. Promotion to Ligue 1 was attained at the end of the 2019–20 season, when Wissa's 15 goals in 28 appearances helped the club to the Ligue 2 championship. He made 38 appearances and scored 10 goals during the 2020–21 season, in which Lorient narrowly avoided finishing in the relegation playoff places. Wissa departed the club in August 2021 and finished his 3+1⁄2-year stay at the Stade du Moustoir with 128 appearances and 37 goals.

2021–22

On 10 August 2021, Wissa moved to England to join newly-promoted Premier League club Brentford on a four-year contract, with the option of a further year, for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £8.5 million. The transfer had been in the works for two years and he had turned down the opportunity to move to the Community Stadium during the previous transfer window. Despite being unable to link up with the club during pre-season after undergoing eye surgery, Wissa scored five goals in his first six appearances for the club. His brace in a 7–0 EFL Cup third round win over Oldham Athletic on 21 September 2021 was recognised with a place in the EFL Cup Team of the Round and his second goal, a bicycle kick, was voted Goal of the Round and Goal of the Tournament. Wissa's goalscoring run was ended by an ankle knock suffered in mid-October 2021. He returned to match play two months later and was deployed in a mixture of starting and substitute roles through to the end of the season. Wissa ended the 2021–22 season with 34 appearances and 10 goals.

2022–2024

Wissa was deployed in a mix of starting and substitute roles and scored seven goals in 40 appearances during the 2022–23 season, in which Brentford were in contention for a European place on the final day. In May 2023, he signed a new three-year contract, with the option of a further year.

Following Ivan Toney's eight-month ban from all football-related activity, Wissa began the 2023–24 season as Brentford's starting centre forward. Following the transfer deadline day loan signing of forward Neal Maupay, Wissa alternated between the forward and left wing positions. Wissa top-scored for the club during the 2023–24 season, with 12 goals from 36 appearances, predominantly as a starter. He ended the season with a run of eight goals in 13 league matches.

2024–2025

A long-term injury suffered by new centre forward signing Igor Thiago during the 2024–25 pre-season allowed Wissa to begin the regular season in the position. He began the season with three goals from four Premier League starting appearances and three goals across four appearances in November 2024 saw him nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award. Wissa's 37th Premier League goal, scored in a 2–2 draw with Manchester City on 14 January 2025, made him the club's record Premier League goalscorer. He ended the 2024–25 season with 39 appearances and a season-high 20 goals.

Newcastle United

On 1 September 2025, Wissa completed a transfer to Newcastle United for a fee of £50 million plus add ons, ending his four-year spell with Brentford. Later that year, on 6 December, he made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Burnley, becoming the 1000th player to represent the club in the league. A few days later, on 10 December, he made his UEFA Champions League debut, coming on in the stoppage time of a 2–2 away draw against Bayer Leverkusen. A week later, on 17 December, he scored his first goal for the club in the EFL Cup quarter-final, which ended in a 2–1 victory over Fulham. On 21 January 2026, he scored his first Champions League goal in a 3–0 victory over PSV Eindhoven.

International career

Yoane Wissa

Wissa won his maiden call into the DR Congo squad for a pair of friendly matches in October 2020. He scored his first two international goals on his second and third caps, in friendly and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches versus Morocco respectively.

Wissa was a part of the DR Congo squad which qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and he was named in the squad for the tournament finals. He appeared in each match and scored two goals during the team's run to the third place play-off, which was lost on penalties to South Africa. Wissa's performances were recognised with a place in the Team of the Tournament.

Style of play

Yoane Wissa

Wissa has been described as a player who "fits many different positions", including winger, number 10 and forward. He has "pace and power", is "a threat in behind", "has good ability to take on players and create overloads" and "good pressing abilities". At Brentford, along with Bryan Mbeumo, he formed a lethal duo with 40 Premier League goals between each other in the 2024/2025 season.

Personal life

Yoane Wissa

Born in France of Congolese descent, Wissa can speak the Lingala language. He acquired French nationality in December 2000 through the collective effect of his parents' naturalisation.

Prior to making the decision to concentrate on football at age 15, he also played rugby union. He was the subject of an acid attack in July 2021 and made a full recovery from emergency eye surgery.

Career statistics

Club

<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Season</th><th>League</th><th>National cup</th><th>League cup</th><th>Europe</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Division</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td></tr><tr><td>Châteauroux II</td><td>2013–14</td><td>CFA 2 Group G</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2014–15</td><td>CFA 2 Group B</td><td>14</td><td>9</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>14</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>2015–16</td><td>CFA 2 Group B</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>5</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>20</td><td>9</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>20</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>Châteauroux</td><td>2015–16</td><td>Championnat National</td><td>23</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>24</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>Angers</td><td>2016–17</td><td>Ligue 1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Angers II</td><td>2016–17</td><td>CFA 2 Group A</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>5</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Laval (loan)</td><td>2016–17</td><td>Ligue 2</td><td>15</td><td>2</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>―</td><td>15</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Laval II (loan)</td><td>2016–17</td><td>CFA 2 Group A</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Ajaccio (loan)</td><td>2017–18</td><td>Ligue 2</td><td>20</td><td>8</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>23</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Lorient</td><td>2017–18</td><td>Ligue 2</td><td>15</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>―</td><td>16</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>2018–19</td><td>Ligue 2</td><td>36</td><td>6</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>40</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>2019–20</td><td>Ligue 2</td><td>28</td><td>15</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>32</td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>2020–21</td><td>Ligue 1</td><td>38</td><td>10</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>―</td><td>40</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>117</td><td>35</td><td>8</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>128</td><td>37</td></tr><tr><td>Brentford</td><td>2021–22</td><td>Premier League</td><td>30</td><td>7</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>―</td><td>34</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>2022–23</td><td>Premier League</td><td>38</td><td>7</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>40</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>2023–24</td><td>Premier League</td><td>34</td><td>12</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>―</td><td>36</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>2024–25</td><td>Premier League</td><td>35</td><td>19</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>―</td><td>39</td><td>20</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>137</td><td>45</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>―</td><td>149</td><td>49</td></tr><tr><td>Newcastle United</td><td>2025–26</td><td>Premier League</td><td>12</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>21</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Career total</td><td>252</td><td>111</td><td>15</td><td>4</td><td>17</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>287</td><td>121</td></tr></tbody></table>

International

<table><thead><tr><th>National team</th><th>Year</th><th>Apps</th><th>Goals</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>DR Congo</td><td>2020</td><td>2</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>6</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>8</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>13</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>6</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>2026</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>36</td><td>9</td></tr></tbody></table>

As of match played 25 March 2026 Scores and results list DR Congo's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Wissa goal.

<table><thead><tr><th>No.</th><th>Date</th><th>Venue</th><th>Opponent</th><th>Score</th><th>Result</th><th>Competition</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>13 October 2020</td><td>Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco</td><td> Morocco</td><td>1–1</td><td>1–1</td><td>Friendly</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>25 March 2022</td><td>Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo</td><td> Morocco</td><td>1–0</td><td>1–1</td><td>2022 FIFA World Cup qualification</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>15 November 2023</td><td>Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo</td><td> Mauritania</td><td>1–0</td><td>2–0</td><td>2026 FIFA World Cup qualification</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>17 January 2024</td><td>Laurent Pokou Stadium, San-Pédro, Ivory Coast</td><td> Zambia</td><td>1–1</td><td>1–1</td><td>2023 Africa Cup of Nations</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>2 February 2024</td><td>Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast</td><td> Guinea</td><td>2–1</td><td>3–1</td><td>2023 Africa Cup of Nations</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>8 June 2025</td><td>Stade de la Source, Orléans, France</td><td> Madagascar</td><td>2–0</td><td>3–1</td><td>Friendly</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>5 September 2025</td><td>Juba Stadium, Juba, South Sudan</td><td> South Sudan</td><td>4–0</td><td>4–1</td><td>2026 FIFA World Cup qualification</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>9 September 2025</td><td>Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo</td><td> Senegal</td><td>2–0</td><td>2–3</td><td>2026 FIFA World Cup qualification</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>25 March 2026</td><td>Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico</td><td> Bermuda</td><td>2–0</td><td>2–0</td><td>Friendly</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Honours

Yoane Wissa

• Ligue 2: 2019–20

• Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: (/wiki/2023AfricaCupofNations#BestXI)