A. Bamba

Aladji Bamba grew up in Blois and spent a decade in the youth ranks of Blois Football 41 before Monaco's academy took him on in 2021. He signed his first professional contract with the club in February 2024, making his senior debut against Le Havre in August 2025.

That first season in the shirt was not a token appearance. Bamba, a right-footed defensive midfielder, made 18 league appearances for Monaco wearing number 23, and Newcastle United signed him in July 2026 on a five-year contract. The fee was reported at around €40 million, structured with a base of €36 million plus add-ons, and Monaco kept a 15% sell-on clause. At Newcastle he switched to the number 8 shirt.

Bamba's rise has run in parallel with his progress through the French youth international system. He played five times for France U18 in 2023, then nine matches and a goal for the U19s across 2024 and 2025, before stepping up to the U20s, where he has won seven caps. He was part of the France U20 squad that won the Maurice Revello Tournament in 2025. He has not yet featured for the senior national team.