Semenyo joins exclusive club on Champions League debut | OneFootball

Antoine Semenyo’s Champions League debut means he becomes just the second player to play non-league, all four professional divisions in England and Europe’s elite competition.

Men's Team

O’Reilly and Semenyo up for Premier League Player of the Month

The Ghana international has been selected by Pep Guardiola for this evening’s Round of 16 first leg at Real Madrid.

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It marks his maiden appearance in the Champions League, having been registered in our squad following the completion of the league phase.

And it completes a remarkable rise up the football pyramid for our No.42, who has settled brilliantly at the Etihad with seven goals in 13 games since his January move from Bournemouth.

Born in London, Semenyo had to work hard for his first chance in professional football, eventually earning a contract at Bristol City in the Championship at 17.

He then had loan spells at National League South club Bath City, League Two side Newport County and Sunderland, then in League One.

It was in the 2020/21 campaign that he became a regular at Ashton Gate, before a move to Bournemouth in January 2023.

His form there, especially in front of goal in the first half of the 2025/26 campaign, eventually saw him make the step to City, where he continues to flourish.

Now, he’ll take to one of the grandest stages in club football as City face 15-time European champions Real Madrid for a place in this year’s quarter-finals.

Former Republic of Ireland international full-back Steve Finnan is the only player to have completed a similar route previously, appearing for Welling United, Birmingham City, Notts County, Fulham, Liverpool and Portsmouth in English football.

Congratulations to Antoine on his special journey up until this point!

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