Simon Adingra Biography
Simon Adingra is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Brighton & Hove Albion and the Ivory Coast national team. He was born on January 1, 2002 in Abobo, Cote d’Ivoire.
He started his career at Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, then moved to Nordsjælland in Denmark, before joining Brighton in 2022. He also had a loan spell at Union SG in Belgium.
He is considered one of the most promising young talents in Africa and Europe. He helped Ivory Coast win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring a crucial goal in the quarter-finals and providing two assists in the final.
Age
Simon Adingra is 22 years old as of 2024.
Early life
Adingra was born on 1 January 2002 in Sunyani, Ghana, to Ivorian parents who had fled the civil war in their country. He grew up in a poor and unstable environment, where he faced discrimination and violence.
He found solace in football, which he played with his friends on the streets and in makeshift pitches. He showed great potential and passion for the game, and dreamed of becoming a professional player.
When he was 12 years old, he was scouted by Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, a former Ghanaian national team coach who became his mentor and father figure. Dramani invited him to join the Right to Dream Academy, a Ghanaian-based organisation that provides education and football training to underprivileged children.
Adingra accepted the offer and moved to the academy, where he received quality coaching, schooling, and guidance. He excelled both academically and athletically, and developed his skills, confidence, and character.
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Club career
In January 2020, Adingra moved to Denmark to play for Nordsjælland, a club that has a partnership with the Right to Dream Academy. He made his professional debut in April 2021, scoring a goal in a 2–2 draw against Copenhagen.
He quickly established himself as a key player for the club, scoring 11 goals in 38 appearances in the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons. He attracted the attention of several European clubs, who were impressed by his pace, dribbling, creativity, and finishing.
In June 2022, Adingra transferred to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion, signing a four-year contract. He was then loaned out to Belgian club Union SG for the 2022–23 season, where he continued his impressive form, scoring 11 goals in 36 games.
He returned to Brighton for the 2023–24 season, making his debut in August 2023 and scoring his first Premier League goal in a 4–1 win over Luton Town. He became a regular starter for the Seagulls, and also featured in the UEFA Europa League, where he scored a goal against Roma.
International career
In March 2023, Adingra received his first call-up to the Ivory Coast senior national team for two Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Comoros. He made his debut as a substitute in the first match, which ended in a 1–1 draw.
He scored his first international goal in the second match, which Ivory Coast won 3–0. He was then included in the squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which was hosted by Ivory Coast.
Adingra proved decisive for the Elephants since the knockout stage started, and provided two assists in the final match against Nigeria, which ended in a 2–1 victory for Ivory Coast.
He was named as the man of the match and the Best Young Player of the Tournament, following in the footsteps of his idol, Didier Drogba, who won the same awards in 2006. He also became the youngest player ever to win the Africa Cup of Nations, at the age of 21.
Personal Life
Adingra is not married, but he has a girlfriend named Aisha, who is also from Ivory Coast. They met at the Right to Dream Academy, and have been dating since 2019.
Simon Adingra Net Worth
Simon Adingra’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.4 million. He also one of the most promising young talents in the Premier League, with a market value of €25.00m.
