Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Cameroon national team.
You can follow Carlos Baleba’s biography, personal details, career details, net worth, contract, salary, stats, achievements, and more here.
Carlos Baleba’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba |
| Birth Date | January 3, 2004 |
| Height | 1.79 m (5′ 10″) |
| Birthplace | Douala, Cameroon |
| Nationality | Cameroonian |
| Current Club | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Position | Central/Defensive Midfielder |
| Club Debut Year | 2022 (for Lille) |
| International Debut Year | 2024 |
| Current Net Worth | $1 million |
| Instagram Profile | @carlos_baleba |
Carlos Baleba was born on January 3, 2004, in Douala, Cameroon. Baleba’s father is a former professional footballer who played in South Africa and Cameroon.
He grew up in the neighborhood of Akwa and is of Bassa descent. At the age of 13, Baleba joined the École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun academy center.
Club Career
Carlos Baleba’s professional journey began when he transferred to French team Lille in January 2022. Initially joining Lille’s reserve team in National 3, Baleba quickly impressed and earned his place in the first team.
His professional debut came on August 7, 2022, in a Ligue 1 match against Auxerre, where Lille secured a 4-1 victory. Baleba’s performances at Lille caught the eye of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
On August 29, 2023, Brighton & Hove Albion announced the signing of Baleba on a five-year contract. The transfer reportedly involved an initial fee of €27 million, with potential add-ons of up to €3 million.
Baleba made his Brighton debut on September 24, 2023, in a 3-1 home win against AFC Bournemouth. He continued to impress, earning his first start for Brighton in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool on October 8, 2023.
In the 2024-25 season, Baleba scored his first goal for Brighton in an EFL Cup match against Wolves on September 18, 2024, followed by his first Premier League goal in a 4-2 loss to Chelsea on September 28, 2024.
International Career
Carlos Baleba made his debut for the Cameroon national team on June 8, 2024, in a World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde. The match ended in a 4-1 victory for Cameroon. Baleba started the game and played for 80 minutes.
Since then, he has made a total of 4 appearances for the national team. His international experience includes participation in both World Cup qualifiers for the African region (CAF Qualifying) and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifications.
In the World Cup qualifiers, Baleba has played 2 matches, receiving one yellow card. For the AFCON qualifications, he has also appeared in 2 games.
Carlos Baleba’s Net Worth Details
Carlos Baleba’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025. His earnings come from his salary as a professional footballer, potential endorsements, and other sources.
Contract
Carlos Baleba signed a 5-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion, worth a total of $3,250,000. His average annual salary is $650,000.
Salary
| Year | Age | Annual Salary |
| 2023 | 19 | $650,000 |
| 2024 | 20 | $650,000 |
| 2025 | 21 | $650,000 |
| 2026 | 22 | $650,000 |
| 2027 | 23 | $650,000 |
Career Stats
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| 2022-23 | Lille | Ligue 1 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Brighton | Premier League | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Brighton | Premier League | 3 | 1 | 0 |
FAQs
1. Who is Carlos Baleba?
Carlos Baleba is a Cameroonian professional footballer born on January 3, 2004, in Douala, Cameroon. He plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Cameroon national team. Known for his physicality and technical ability, he joined Brighton in August 2023 from Lille.
2. What is Carlos Baleba’s playing style?
Baleba is a versatile box-to-box midfielder known for his stamina, dribbling, and passing range. He excels in both defensive duties and driving forward with the ball, drawing comparisons to Paul Pogba and Yaya Touré. His game is also influenced by Kevin De Bruyne, Thiago Alcântara, and former Lille players like Idrissa Gueye.
3. How much did Brighton pay for Carlos Baleba?
Brighton signed Baleba from Lille in August 2023 for an initial fee of €27 million, with potential add-ons raising the total to €30 million. The deal included a 15% sell-on clause for Lille.
4. What are Baleba’s career statistics?
Baleba has made 60 appearances for Brighton, scoring 3 goals. During his time at Lille (2022–2023), he played 23 matches. For Cameroon, he debuted in June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier and has since become a regular starter.
5. Has Carlos Baleba won any individual awards?
Baleba was nominated for the 2024 Young African Player of the Year award. He has expressed ambitions to win the Ballon d’Or or equivalent honors in the future.
6. What is Carlos Baleba’s market value?
Baleba’s market value is estimated at €35–55 million. Transfer rumors suggest Brighton could demand over €70 million due to his contract running until 2028 and his rising prominence.
7. How has Baleba performed in the 2024/25 season?
In the 2024/25 Premier League season, Baleba has scored 2 goals in 20 appearances. He also netted his first EFL Cup goal in September 2024 and has become a key player under manager Fabian Hürzeler.
8. Which clubs are interested in signing Carlos Baleba?
Baleba has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester City, and other top European clubs. Analysts speculate a move could materialize in 2025 or 2026, given his rapid development and Brighton’s history of selling high-profile midfielders.
9. What are Baleba’s long-term career goals?
He aims to win major trophies with both club and country, including the Premier League and African Cup of Nations. Baleba has also expressed a desire to emulate players like Rodri and leave a lasting legacy in football.
10. What challenges has Baleba faced at Brighton?
Early in his Brighton career, Baleba struggled with errors leading to goals, but manager Fabian Hürzeler’s guidance helped him build confidence. His adaptability to the Premier League’s pace and physicality has been praised, with fans and pundits noting significant improvement in his decision-making.
