AFCON 2023, reunion, foundation… Nine things to know about Simon Adingra | OneFootball

A look at the attributes of the 24-year-old Ivorian left winger, who arrived in the Principality on Monday to join AS Monaco on loan until the end of the season.

He comes to strengthen Monaco’s attack for the second half of the season. Having joined on loan from Sunderland with an option to buy, Simon Adingra boasts undeniable qualities of pace and direct attacking impact. But before his big debut in the colours of the Principality club, here is everything you need to know about the 24-year-old Ivorian winger. Profile. 🔎

He grew up in the same place as a former Monaco player 👶

To begin with, it’s worth noting that Simon Adingra, born on 1 January 2002, grew up in Abobo, one of the thirteen municipalities of the Abidjan district in Côte d’Ivoire – just like other footballers such as former Lille forward Gervinho, current Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomandé, and former Monaco player from 2014 to 2018, Lacina Traoré.

Trained at a renowned academy 🇬🇭

He then moved to Benin at the age of 12, before joining the ABIS Sport Academy two years later. He subsequently signed for the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, which has produced players such as Mohammed Kudus, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Lyon’s Ernest Nuamah. In 2019, he won the Gothia Cup – also known as the Youth World Cup. He spent two and a half years there before moving to Europe in January 2020 to join Nordsjaelland, a partner club of the academy.

The man of firsts ⚽

In Denmark, Adingra – who is capable of operating on either wing – initially started out with the reserve team. He then made his professional debut in April 2021 against Copenhagen, opening his account on his first appearance. After joining Brighton in 2022, the forward was immediately loaned out to Union Saint-Gilloise, where he once again scored on his debut. He repeated the feat in his first appearance for the Seagulls in August 2023 against Luton Town.

He played alongside a current squad member 🤝

On the Premier League – where he played from 2023 to 2025, making 73 appearances and scoring 12 goals – Simon Adingra notably lined up alongside Ansu Fati during the 2023–2024 season, featuring in 21 matches with the Spaniard. A strong on-field understanding quickly developed, as the forward, on loan from Barcelona, scored twice from assists provided by the Ivorian, while the reverse also happened once. All of which bodes well for the attacking chemistry at Monaco.

Crédit Photo : Icon Sport

Best Young Player of AFCON 2023 🏆

An Ivory Coast international since June 2023 (26 caps, 4 goals and 7 assists), the winger became the idol of an entire nation during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which was hosted on home turf. After scoring a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser in the quarter-final against Mali, the teammate of Wilfried Singo went on to provide two assists in the final, a 2-1 win over Nigeria. Named Man of the Match, he was also voted Best Young Player of the tournament, following in the footsteps of previous winners such as Krépin Diatta, who claimed the award in 2019.

Finalist for the African Player of the Year 🌍

A key figure in the Elephants’ third Africa Cup of Nations triumph, the right-footed winger – now 24 years old – burst onto the public stage at that time, to the point of being shortlisted for the African Player of the Year accolade at the 2024 CAF Awards a few months later. Up against Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams and Guinea’s Sehrou Guirassy, he ultimately saw Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman claim the individual honour, in an edition where Lamine Camara was crowned Young African Player of the Year.

  Voir cette publication sur Instagram   Une publication partagée par ADINGRA SIMON (@simon.adingra)

A number worn by illustrious African players 🌍

At AS Monaco – as he did at Brighton and Sunderland – Simon will wear the number 24 shirt, notably following in the footsteps of Aurélien Tchouameni, the last Monaco player to don the shirt when he arrived in the winter of 2020. The French international had himself succeeded other iconic figures of the club, such as Andrea Raggi, Emmanuel Adebayor and Victor Ikpeba, the latter pair both legends of African football.

He has a big heart 🫶

Known for his ability to make numerous high-intensity runs, the Elephants winger is also generous off the pitch. He has set up a foundation in Côte d’Ivoire, aimed at improving the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. That is why, in the aftermath of AFCON 2023, he made a donation to the children of the Bingerville orphanage on the outskirts of Abidjan, and also launched a football tournament in Abobo to give young talents the chance to be spotted.

  Voir cette publication sur Instagram   Une publication partagée par Simon Adingra (@simonadingrafoundation)

We wrap up this profile for FC26 enthusiasts. Rated at 76, Simon Adingra has the potential to rise to 82, with an impressive pace rating of 87. Also equipped with three stars for skill moves and his weaker foot, he will undoubtedly prove a valuable asset for your team to trouble opposing defences. 🎮