Claus Babo Niyukuri

Claus Babo Niyukuri arrived in Norway from Burundi around 2004 and grew up in the Haugalandet region, where his football was formed. He now plays for Burundi, though his club career has been built almost entirely within a short radius of Haugesund.

He made his senior debut at Kopervik IL in 2017, having come through the club's youth ranks. By 2019 he had 26 appearances and three goals in the senior side, and Haugesunds Avis singled him out as the most surprising local player of the early season. That was the first public notice of a defender.

From 2020 to 2022 he played for SK Vard Haugesund in the 2. divisjon, making 48 appearances and scoring twice. The step to FK Haugesund followed in 2023, and there he played 57 matches and scored five goals before leaving.

His international career began in March 2024. He made his Burundi debut on 22 March in a 1–0 defeat to Madagascar, and three days later played in a 0–0 draw with Botswana. Later that year he was called up for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Kenya. By the end of 2024 he had two caps.

In January 2026 he joined Sarpsborg 08 on a contract until 2029, the first move of his career away from the Haugesund area. He had played 12 matches for the club by 23 July 2026. He has won no league or cup titles so far.