Jonathan David: The Most Expensive Canadian Footballer

The name Jonathan David echoes like thunder on the pitch across the Canadian football community. Born and bred from the heart of Canadian football, his ascent from relative obscurity to worldwide recognition is evidence of his exceptional talent, unwavering commitment, and unrelenting quest for perfection.

Jonathan David’s story starts in his birthplace of the quiet Ottawa suburbs. At a young age, he was introduced to the beautiful game by his supporting family. Join us as we explore the rise of Canada’s most expensive player.

Player Profile – Jonathan David

Jonathan David, a Canadian striker born in Brooklyn, NY, showcases remarkable talent at just 24 years old. With a height of 5 ft 9 in and a weight of 154 lbs, he currently plays for Lille OSC, wearing the number 9 jersey.

He started his career with Gent in the Belgian Pro League, The Canadian striker quickly gained attention for his goal-scoring prowess. And his breakout season in 2019-2020 solidified his status as a rising star in European football.

Teammates and opponents alike are in awe of his pace, agility, and clinical finishing. David is a constant threat on the pitch. Off the field, he remains humble and dedicated to his craft.

Player Profile Overview

Early Life

Jonathan David was born to Haitian parents Jonathan David Sr. and Rose David on 14 January 2000 in New York City. His parents moved the family to Port-au-Prince when Jonathan was only three months old.

At the age of six, the family was on the move again, leaving Haiti for Canada and settling in Ottawa. Jonathan David cited his time at the French-speaking school École secondaire publique Louis-Riel as one of the reasons for his success. With the ball always at his feet, he developed his close control and footballing technique which has served him well.

During his formative years, Jonathan David preferred and watched a lot of European football showing no interest in the Major League Soccer of neighbouring United States. He also held no interest playing in the MLS preferring to play in Europe for some of the biggest sides in club football.

Jonathan David has a lot of respect and admiration for his youth coach Hanny El-Magraby. He credits the coach as a father figure and early mentor who helped him realise his dream of becoming a professional football player in Europe.

His journey to European football was not an easy or smooth one, He was rejected after trying out for FC Salzburg and VfB Stuttgart before joining Gent, but he was turned down by both teams.

Jonathan David’s Playing Style

David is a versatile forward playing primarily as a second striker or an attacking midfielder. However, he is also very effective as the main striker. He has remarkable goalscoring ability and can easily find gaps in the opposition’s defence.

He uses his lightning-quick pace to attack these areas and make runs behind the defense line.  Another key component of his game is his tight close control, and sharp interplay with teammates using short passes.

His pace is an important facet of his game making him an effective threat on the counterattack. Furthermore, he possesses a high level of tactical intelligence and awareness. David also has a high defensive work-rate, reading the game effectively and pressing opposing players off the ball.

Youth Career

Jonathan David started his youth career playing at the age of 10 with the Gloucester Dragons SA club in Ottawa. After a year with the club, He joined Ottawa Gloucester SC playing for them until 2015 before leaving the club to join Ottawa Internationals SC in 2016.

After participating in multiple under-15 camps, David caught the attention of the Canadian Young National Team programme in 2015. This enhanced his profile and earned frequent call-ups to Canadian U7 camps before the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship.

Jonathan David played and scored twice against Suriname in the last group match during the competition. Afterwards, He was promoted to the Canadian U21 squad preparing for the 2018 Toulon Tournament in May 2017. 

In 2018, trying to persuade Jonathan David to switch allegiance, Tab Ramos called up Jonathan David to play for the United States U20 squad. However, he declined the invitation restating his resolve and desire to represent Canada and concentrate on his club career.

Senior Career

Jonathan David’s senior career began with Belgian First Division A Gent In January 2018. However, it wasn’t until 4 August 2018 that he made his professional debut against Zulte Waregem, scoring on his debut to earn a 1-1 draw for his side.

Just as he did on his league debut, David scored on his Europa League debut to secure the win for his side against Jagiellonia Białystok. The goal came in the 85th minute of the match having come on as a second-half substitute for Genk.

David’s impressive scoring form for Genk continued. The Canadian marksman scored five goals in his first five games for the club. His hot streak saw the club reward Jonathan David with a contract extension through 2022 and He further extended his contract with Genk by a year to 2023 in September 2019.

Furthermore, his exploits during the 2019-2020 season saw him win the Jean-Claude Bouvy Trophy as the best player for the club.

Jonathan David Playing In The French Ligue 1 With LOSC Lille

Jonathan David’s form saw a host of bigger European clubs vie for his services. However, On August 11, 2020, David became the most expensive Canadian footballer. He signed for Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille on a five-year contract for €30 million replacing outgoing Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen.

David made his competitive debut against Rennes in their Ligue 1 season opener on August 22. He however struggled for form, scoring his first league goal for his new club on November 22 against Lorient.

The Lille striker’s struggles continued as he went scoreless in 7 games for Lille before netting the winner against Reims to his club level on points with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the top of the table.

After enduring a torrid first half of the 2020-2021 campaign, Jonathan David showed that class is permanent and form is temporary. He scored five goals in five games, scoring his first brace against Nantes during this goal-scoring run.

Beating PSG Away And Winning Ligue 1

Jonathan David endeared himself to the Lille faithful when he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 away win over PSG. The victory was Lille’s first away league win over PSG since April 1996. The Canadian helped Lille win the Ligue 1 title scoring 13 goals in the process.

Jonathan David also won the 2021 Trophée des Champions with Lille, defeating PSG 1-0 at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, Israel. There has been speculation linking the striker away from the club.

However, during the January 2024 transfer window, the striker stopped short of confirming his future with the club only saying he won’t be leaving during that transfer window.

International Career

Jonathan David made his senior debut against the U.S Virgin Islands on September 9, starting and scoring twice in an 8–0 victory. He also made the final squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. During the competition, he scored his first international hat-trick against Cuba.

Despite his heroics in the competition, Canada was eliminated by David’s home nation of Haiti. However, he ended the tournament as the highest goalscorer winning the Golden Ball with 6 goals.

David set the Canadian record for the most senior international goals in a single year with eight goals in 2019. His performances for the national team earned him the 2019 Canadian Men’s Player of the Year Award.

The LOSC Lille striker scored his second hat-trick in his country in a 4–0 win over Suriname in a 2022 World Cup qualifier. Canada qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar finishing the qualification stage with nine goals at the end of the campaign.

Jonathan David was part of the Canadian squad that qualified for the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals. However, he was unable to help his country as they succumbed to a 2-o defeat against bitter rivals the United States of America.

Personal life Of Jonathan David

Jonathan David is one of the most famous Canadian players only behind Alphonse Davies in terms of popularity. However, he had to undergo several rejections before becoming the global name he is now.

David is a fashionable star, like most footballers he likes designer clothes. He partnered with Fly Nowhere and the Canadian striker has professed a love for Henry-themed designer clothes. Jonathan David enjoys his collaboration with Fly Nowhere as the product has a unique attraction for him.

One of the best traits of Jonathan David as a person is how he thinks of others around him. The player has expressed severally his desire to help the country he grew up in as a child. He is actively involved in the organization named Haitian Initiative to improve the lives of Haitian children.

Furthermore, he teamed up with former USMNT player Tony Sanneh to provide 300 young footballers in Port-au-Prince with training, meals and accommodation.

On a sadder note, Jonathan David faced a family tragedy in 2019 as he lost his mother to cancer. To celebrate his mother, he held a pink rose in her honour after scoring an 84th-minute winner for Lille in December 2021.

Jonathan also participated in a protest against Nike following their decision not to produce a new Canadian kit for the World Cup 2022. He covered the Nike logo after scoring against Qatar on 23 September 2022 in protest.

Jonathan David’s Milestones and Personal Achievements

• Senior Debut – vs Zulte Waregem, 4 August 2018
• First Career League Goal – vs Zulte Waregem, 4 August 2018
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2019
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Boot: 2019
• Belgian First Division A Top Scorer: 2019–20
• Canadian Men’s Player of the Year: 2019
• Jean-Claude Bouvy Trophy: 2019–20
• Ligue 1 Debut – vs Rennes, 22 August 2020
• First Ligue 1 Goal – vs Lorient, 22 November 2020
• CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI: 2023
• Senior Men’s International Debut – vs U.S Virgin Islands, 9 September 2018
• First International Goals – vs U.S Virgin Islands, 9 September 2018
• First International Hat-trick – vs Cuba, 23 June 2019

Conclusion

In the annals of Canadian soccer history, Jonathan David’s name will be etched in golden letters. From his humble beginnings in Ottawa to the bright lights of European football, his journey is a testament to the power of talent and perseverance.

As he continues to scale new heights and break down barriers, one thing is certain: at the young age of 24, the best is yet to come for Jonathan David.