Simon Adingra recounts being stranded at 12 after bogus academy trip | OneFootball

Simon Adingra has revealed how a bogus academy trip left him stranded in Benin at 12, a low point in a remarkable rise.

The Ivory Coast international is now at the World Cup after not being selected for the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, according to Sunderland Echo.

As a child he travelled from Ivory Coast to Benin with nine other boys, believing an academy place awaited. Instead the organiser vanished with their money, leaving them with no accommodation, support or food.

Faced with either returning home or waiting for a chance, the group stayed together and took odd jobs. They washed plates in restaurants for small payments and meals.

An Ivorian passer-by then recognised their accent, helped them secure housing and created a small football set-up around the 10 youngsters. Over time it grew into a real academy in Benin.

A tournament in Ghana brought Adingra to the attention of the Right to Dream academy, which changed his trajectory. He progressed to Nordsjaelland and Brighton & Hove Albion, then moved to Sunderland.

On 28 December 2025 he scored his first Sunderland goal in a 1-1 draw with Leeds United. After limited starts under Régis Le Bris, he joined Monaco last winter on loan for £870,000, with an option to buy for £16million.

Source: Sunderland Echo