# Allan Saint-Maximin
**Allan Saint-Maximin** (born 1997) is a French professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for [Charlotte FC](https://www.edgepedia.org/charlotte-fc) in [Major League Soccer](https://www.edgepedia.org/major-league-soccer). A dribbler known for his pace, flair, and acrobatic backflip celebration, he has played for [Saint-Étienne](https://www.edgepedia.org/saint-etienne), Monaco, Nice, Newcastle United, Al-Ahli, Fenerbahçe, Club América, RC Lens, and Charlotte across a career that has taken him through the French, German, English, Saudi, Turkish, Mexican, and American leagues.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | Châtenay-Malabry, Parisian suburb, France[1](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4944-) |
| First-team breakthrough | Saint-Étienne's youngest-ever top-flight player at age 16[1](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4944-) |
| Move to Nice | Club-record €12 million fee in 2017[1](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4944-) |
| Newcastle United | 124 appearances, 13 goals, 21 assists (all competitions), 2019–2023[2](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4284-allan-saint-maximin-back-with-a-flip) |
| Later clubs | Al-Ahli (2023), Fenerbahçe on loan (2024/25), Club América (2025), RC Lens (February 2026)[2](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4284-allan-saint-maximin-back-with-a-flip) • [3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7227/allan-saint-maximin/career) |
| Charlotte FC | Three-year deal announced 13 July 2026[4](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mercato-allan-saint-maximin-rejoint-le-charlotte-fc-en-mls-pour-les-trois-prochaines-saisons/1704073) |
| 2026 MLS season | 1 goal, 3 assists in 10 matches (753 minutes)[5](https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player_comparison.cgi?comp_type=by_type&dom_lg=1&p1yrfrom=2026&p2yrfrom=2026&p3yrfrom=2026&p4yrfrom=2026&p5yrfrom=2026&p6yrfrom=2026&player_id1=2b16cb1a&player_id2=d70ce98e&player_id3=69384e5d&player_id4=715bf047&player_id5=92e7e919&player_id6=df69b544&request=1&show_form=1&sum=0) |
## Youth and early career
Born in Châtenay-Malabry, Saint-Maximin impressed at local side [Boulogne-Billancourt](https://www.edgepedia.org/boulogne-billancourt) before agreeing to join Saint-Étienne in 2011 at the age of 14. A regular France youth international, he broke into the first team quickly and became Les Verts' youngest-ever top-flight player at just 16[1](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4944-).
AS Monaco signed him in 2015 and sent him on successive loans to [Hannover 96](https://www.edgepedia.org/hannover-96) in the [Bundesliga](https://www.edgepedia.org/bundesliga) and then [SC Bastia](https://www.edgepedia.org/sc-bastia) in Corsica. Blocked at Monaco by players including Kylian Mbappé and Thomas Lemar after the club's title-winning season, he left for OGC Nice in 2017 for a club-record €12 million fee. Over two seasons at the Allianz Riviera under Lucien Favre, his maverick abilities became central to the team; in his first Nice season he scored four goals in 36 games in all competitions with seven assists, showing clear improvement in his all-round play alongside his pace and strength[1](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4944-) • [6](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/assets/The-GFFN-100-2018-Mobile-Version.pdf).
## Newcastle United
Saint-Maximin joined Newcastle United in 2019, at a low ebb in the club's history with fans unhappy with the football under [Steve Bruce](https://www.edgepedia.org/steve-bruce) and the ownership of Mike Ashley. He became a popular figure in the northeast of England; his mother told [The Athletic](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-athletic) that he chose Newcastle because he wanted to play rather than sit on a bench[1](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4944-).
He stayed through the change of ownership and was part of the squad that finished in the top four of the Premier League in 2022/23. Financial restrictions at the club meant he moved on that summer, before playing in the Champions League, joining the Saudi side Al-Ahli[1](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4944-). Across his Newcastle career he made 124 appearances, scoring 13 goals and registering 21 assists, more appearances than at any other club[2](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4284-allan-saint-maximin-back-with-a-flip). Opta's league-only record for his Newcastle spell shows 111 Premier League appearances with 12 goals and 18 assists[3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7227/allan-saint-maximin/career).
## Al-Ahli, Fenerbahçe, and Club América
After one season at Al-Ahli in the [Saudi Pro League](https://www.edgepedia.org/saudi-pro-league), in which he made 30 league appearances with 4 goals and 9 assists, he spent 2024/25 on loan at Turkish club Fenerbahçe, where he also appeared in the Europa League and Champions League[2](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4284-allan-saint-maximin-back-with-a-flip) • [3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7227/allan-saint-maximin/career). His time in Turkey was not enjoyable: he accused the club of making him try to break doping rules, and Fenerbahçe expressed their astonishment at the accusations[2](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4284-allan-saint-maximin-back-with-a-flip).
He joined Mexican side [Club América](https://www.edgepedia.org/club-america) in August 2025 on a two-year contract. He registered 3 goals and 2 assists in 16 league matches, and his departure was abrupt: he left the team overnight citing personal situations, and weeks later a return to France was announced[7](https://as.com/us/futbol/allan-saint-maximin-a-la-mls-el-delantero-frances-con-paso-por-america-sigue-sin-encontrar-adaptacion-f202606-n/). The underlying reason emerged in early February 2026, when he broke his contract after his children were subjected to racist abuse. "Attacking my children is something I will never tolerate," he wrote on Instagram, adding that protecting his children was his priority. Club América's coach André Jardine confirmed that a racist act had been directed at his daughters more than once[8](https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/V61246/allan-saint-maximin-bryter-efter-rasistattacker).
## Return to France with Lens
[RC Lens](https://www.edgepedia.org/rc-lens) announced his signing on 2 February 2026, minutes before the close of the winter transfer window, on a deal to the end of the season[9](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-saint-maximin-ficha-por-el-lens-f202602-n/). Manager [Pierre Sage](https://www.edgepedia.org/pierre-sage) had said the winger could bring the "X-Factor" to a title challenge, and on his debut, a 3-1 win over Rennes, Saint-Maximin came on with Lens leading 2-1 but down to ten men after Ruben Aguilar's red card, and scored with a shot driven from 25 yards that briefly put Lens back top of [Ligue 1](https://www.edgepedia.org/ligue-1). He celebrated with his trademark backflip[2](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4284-allan-saint-maximin-back-with-a-flip).
In half a season at Lens he contributed 4 goals and 3 assists in 13 matches as the club reached the [Coupe de France](https://www.edgepedia.org/coupe-de-france) final against OGC Nice on 22 May 2026, which Lens won[7](https://as.com/us/futbol/allan-saint-maximin-a-la-mls-el-delantero-frances-con-paso-por-america-sigue-sin-encontrar-adaptacion-f202606-n/) • [10](https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/07/14/charlotte-fc-s-new-star-allan-saint-maximin). Opta records 3 goals and 3 assists in 10 Ligue 1 appearances, mostly as a substitute, plus 1 goal in 3 Coupe de France matches[3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7227/allan-saint-maximin/career). Ligue 1's own site described his contribution rate as among the best on the team, with three assists and two goals in less than 400 minutes of league football[1](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4944-).
## Charlotte FC
On 13 July 2026, Charlotte FC announced his signing on a three-year contract, six months after his arrival at Lens. L'Équipe noted that although he had stayed at Lens only six months, he had contributed substantially to the club's season[4](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mercato-allan-saint-maximin-rejoint-le-charlotte-fc-en-mls-pour-les-trois-prochaines-saisons/1704073). He arrived as a replacement for Wilfried Zaha, whose spell at the club had been brief[11](https://as.com/us/futbol/allan-saint-maximin-irrumpe-en-la-mls-f202607-n/). In his first MLS season he played 10 matches, starting 8, and recorded 1 goal and 3 assists in 753 minutes[5](https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player_comparison.cgi?comp_type=by_type&dom_lg=1&p1yrfrom=2026&p2yrfrom=2026&p3yrfrom=2026&p4yrfrom=2026&p5yrfrom=2026&p6yrfrom=2026&player_id1=2b16cb1a&player_id2=d70ce98e&player_id3=69384e5d&player_id4=715bf047&player_id5=92e7e919&player_id6=df69b544&request=1&show_form=1&sum=0).
## Playing style
Saint-Maximin's game is built on dribbling, acceleration, and improvisation. Ligue 1's profile calls him a maverick whose style, audacity, and positivity on the ball made him a fan favorite at Nice, and he is as identifiable by his dribbles as by his headbands[2](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4284-allan-saint-maximin-back-with-a-flip). Describing his debut goal for Lens, he said: "I simply thought about what I worked on since my tender youth: controlling the ball, isolating my opponent, dribbling around him, and finishing off with a shot"[2](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4284-allan-saint-maximin-back-with-a-flip).
His end product has been the recurring question of his career.
## References
1. [Allan Saint-Maximin: A long road back to Ligue 1, Ligue1.com (23 April 2026)](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4944-)
2. [Allan Saint-Maximin: back with a flip, Ligue1.com (10 February 2026)](https://ligue1.com/en/articles/l1_article_4284-allan-saint-maximin-back-with-a-flip)
3. [Allan Saint-Maximin Career History, Opta Analyst](https://theanalyst.com/players/7227/allan-saint-maximin/career)
4. [Mercato : Allan Saint-Maximin rejoint le Charlotte FC en MLS pour les trois prochaines saisons, L'Équipe (13 July 2026)](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mercato-allan-saint-maximin-rejoint-le-charlotte-fc-en-mls-pour-les-trois-prochaines-saisons/1704073)
5. [Player Comparison: Allan Saint-Maximin vs. Lionel Messi vs. Neymar vs. James Rodríguez vs. Son Heung-min vs. Antoine Griezmann, FBref.com](https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player_comparison.cgi?comp_type=by_type&dom_lg=1&p1yrfrom=2026&p2yrfrom=2026&p3yrfrom=2026&p4yrfrom=2026&p5yrfrom=2026&p6yrfrom=2026&player_id1=2b16cb1a&player_id2=d70ce98e&player_id3=69384e5d&player_id4=715bf047&player_id5=92e7e919&player_id6=df69b544&request=1&show_form=1&sum=0)
6. [The GFFN 100 – 2018, Get French Football News](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/assets/The-GFFN-100-2018-Mobile-Version.pdf)
7. [¡Allan Saint Maximin a la MLS! El delantero francés, con paso por América, sigue sin encontrar adaptación, AS (12 June 2026)](https://as.com/us/futbol/allan-saint-maximin-a-la-mls-el-delantero-frances-con-paso-por-america-sigue-sin-encontrar-adaptacion-f202606-n/)
8. [Allan Saint-Maximin bröt sitt avtal med Club America efter rasistattacker, Aftonbladet (3 February 2026)](https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/V61246/allan-saint-maximin-bryter-efter-rasistattacker)
9. [Oficial: Saint-Maximin ficha por el Lens, AS (2 February 2026)](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/oficial-saint-maximin-ficha-por-el-lens-f202602-n/)
10. [Charlotte FC's new star: Allan Saint-Maximin, Axios Charlotte (14 July 2026)](https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/07/14/charlotte-fc-s-new-star-allan-saint-maximin)
11. [Allan Saint-Maximin irrumpe en la MLS, AS (13 July 2026)](https://as.com/us/futbol/allan-saint-maximin-irrumpe-en-la-mls-f202607-n/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of continental Europe › French footballers born 1995 onward › Forwards and wingers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license