Antoine Semenyo is a Ghanaian professional footballer known for his powerful and direct style as a forward or winger. He gained public attention for his rapid rise from non-league football to the Premier League, his standout performances for Bournemouth, and his high-profile transfer to Manchester City.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Antoine Serlom Semenyo
Age: 26 (born 7 January 2000)
Nationality: Ghanaian / British (dual citizenship)
Occupation: Professional Footballer
Known For: Forward for Manchester City and the Ghana national team; his journey through all four English professional divisions to the Champions League
Marital Status: Not confirmed
Children: Not confirmed
Early Life and Background
Semenyo was born in London, England, on 7 January 2000 to Ghanaian parents. As a teenager, he attended trials at many of London’s biggest clubs but was unsuccessful. He considered giving up football at 15 before moving away from home to attend South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, which opened the door to a professional career.
Career and Achievements
Semenyo began his professional career at Bristol City, spending time on loan at Bath City, Newport County, and Sunderland . His journey through the English football pyramid is remarkable: he became only the second player ever to have played non-league football, all four English professional divisions, and the Champions League.
He joined Bournemouth in 2022 and made over 100 Premier League appearances for the club. In July 2025, he signed a contract extension with Bournemouth until 2030. On 9 January 2026, Manchester City signed Semenyo for a reported fee of £64 million. He quickly made an impact at City, scoring eight goals in his first 20 appearances and helping the club win the 2025-26 Carabao Cup.
Semenyo represented England at youth level but committed his international future to Ghana. He was selected for Ghana’s 2022 World Cup squad and has become a key player for the Black Stars.
Major Event or Controversy
Semenyo has been the target of multiple racial abuse incidents. In August 2025, a 47-year-old Liverpool supporter was arrested and charged after allegedly racially abusing Semenyo during a match at Anfield, causing referee Anthony Taylor to stop play.
Why He Is In the News
Semenyo is in the news after suffering fresh racial abuse on Instagram following Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 12 April 2026. A user called him a “black monkey,” prompting Semenyo to respond: “It’s started again,” referencing previous incidents. This marks the second time he has been targeted during the 2025-26 season.
Conclusion
Antoine Semenyo is a resilient Ghanaian forward who has overcome early rejection to become a Premier League star at Manchester City. Despite his on-field success, he continues to face the scourge of online racial abuse, highlighting the persistent challenges Black players endure in modern football.
