Florentin Pogba
Florentin Pogba is a Guinean professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for French fourth-tier club Stade Poitevin FC.[1] Born on 19 August 1990 in Conakry, Guinea, to parents who later moved the family to France, he holds dual citizenship and began his youth career with US Roissy-en-Brie before joining Celta Vigo's academy in Spain.[2] The elder brother of Paul Pogba and Mathias Pogba, both professional footballers, Florentin rose through the ranks in French football, debuting professionally with CS Sedan in Ligue 2 in 2010, where he made 45 appearances over two seasons.[3] Pogba's career progressed significantly in 2012 when he transferred to AS Saint-Étienne for a reported €500,000 fee, initially on loan back to Sedan for the 2012–13 season before establishing himself in Ligue 1 with 119 appearances for the club from 2013 to 2018, including participation in the UEFA Europa League where he faced his brother Paul in a notable 2017 matchup.[4] After leaving Saint-Étienne, he moved to Turkish Süper Lig side Gençlerbirliği in January 2018, making eight league appearances, before joining Major League Soccer club Atlanta United in February 2019 on a free transfer, where he featured in 13 MLS matches during his single season.[5] Returning to France, Pogba signed with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard in Ligue 2 in May 2020, contributing 65 appearances over two seasons until mid-2022.[2] In June 2022, Pogba ventured to Asia, signing a two-year deal with Indian Super League side ATK Mohun Bagan (now Mohun Bagan Super Giant), though he saw limited action, featuring in only two league matches during the 2022–23 season.[6] Following his release in August 2023, he joined Belgian third-division club Royal Excelsior Virton in July 2024, playing there for one year before transferring to Stade Poitevin FC on a free transfer in August 2025.[7] Internationally, Pogba has represented Guinea since 2013, accumulating 31 caps without scoring, after earlier youth appearances for France; his national team experience includes participation in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.[1] At 1.89 metres tall and left-footed, Pogba is known for his physical presence and versatility, having also played as a left-back, though his career has largely been in mid-to-lower tier leagues following his Ligue 1 stint.[3]Early life
Childhood and family
Florentin Pogba was born on 19 August 1990 in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, to Guinean parents.[8][9] His family relocated to Roissy-en-Brie, a suburb east of Paris in France, when he was just eight months old, where he was raised and later acquired French citizenship in addition to his Guinean nationality.[10][11] Pogba grew up in a close-knit family with a strong emphasis on football; he is the twin brother of Mathias Pogba, a retired professional footballer, and the older brother of Paul Pogba, a prominent midfielder currently playing for AS Monaco.[12][13][14] In their early years in France, the Pogba brothers shared a deep passion for the sport, often playing together and supporting Arsenal FC as avid fans, which fostered a familial bond centered around football despite their eventual divergent professional paths.[15][16]Youth career
Florentin Pogba began his youth football career in the Île-de-France region of France, where he played for local clubs including US Roissy-en-Brie.[8][17] His talent as a defender during this early period drew interest from abroad, leading to a trial and subsequent signing with the youth academy of Spanish club Celta Vigo in 2007.[17][18] There, he spent two seasons refining his defensive skills, focusing on the centre-back role while also gaining experience at left-back, though he did not progress to senior appearances.[18][8] These formative experiences in structured youth environments, supported by his family's encouragement of his football pursuits, prepared Pogba for his entry into professional ranks without any senior contracts during this stage.[17]Club career
Sedan
Florentin Pogba signed his first professional contract with CS Sedan-Ardennes in 2010, at the age of 20, marking the beginning of his senior career in French football.[19] He had joined the club's reserve team following a trial after time in Spain with Celta Vigo's youth setup. Pogba made his senior debut on 20 November 2010 in the Coupe de France, appearing in a 2–0 victory over amateur side FC Steinseltz.[20] During the 2010–2012 period, he established himself in the first team, accumulating 51 appearances and scoring 4 goals across all competitions, with his first league goal coming on 20 September 2011 as a header in a 1–1 draw against Troyes.[21][22] In the 2010–11 season, he featured in 14 matches without scoring, breaking into the Ligue 2 squad midway through the campaign. The following 2011–12 season saw him become a regular, with 37 appearances and all 4 of his goals coming in league play, contributing to Sedan's mid-table finish. In July 2012, Pogba transferred to AS Saint-Étienne as a stepping stone to higher-level football but was immediately loaned back to Sedan for the 2012–13 season.[3] During this loan spell, he added 39 appearances and 3 goals, primarily in Ligue 2 where he started most matches and provided defensive stability amid the team's struggles.[21] Overall at Sedan, Pogba's contributions emphasized his role as a reliable centre-back, helping maintain solidity in Ligue 2 campaigns that fell short of promotion, as the club finished 16th, 8th, and 19th across his three seasons.Saint-Étienne
Florentin Pogba joined AS Saint-Étienne from CS Sedan in the summer of 2012 for a transfer fee of €500,000, though he was immediately loaned back to Sedan for the 2012–13 season to continue his development in Ligue 2.[23][24] Pogba achieved full integration into the Saint-Étienne first team during the 2013–14 season, marking the beginning of a five-year tenure in which he made 99 appearances across all competitions and scored 2 goals.[3] His prior experience at Sedan, where he had established himself as a reliable centre-back, aided his adaptation to the higher demands of Ligue 1 play. He scored his first goal for the club on 3 December 2014, netting the opener in a 2–0 away victory over Montpellier HSC, a moment that highlighted his growing influence in the squad.[25] Over his time at Saint-Étienne, Pogba featured prominently in European competition, accumulating 25 appearances in the UEFA Europa League, including group stage campaigns in the 2014–15, 2015–16, and 2016–17 seasons.[3] These outings provided valuable exposure to continental football, with the club advancing to the round of 32 in 2015–16 and 2016–17 before eliminations by Manchester United and Villarreal, respectively. Pogba's progress was interrupted by a serious thigh injury sustained during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in January 2015, which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2014–15 season and limited his availability upon return.[26] He underwent a prolonged recovery process but made a successful comeback in the 2015–16 season, regaining his place in the defense and contributing to the team's efforts in subsequent campaigns.[27] As a key centre-back, Pogba provided solid defensive contributions in Ligue 1, helping Saint-Étienne maintain mid-table stability with finishes of 4th in 2013–14, 5th in 2014–15, 6th in 2015–16, 8th in 2016–17, and 7th in 2017–18.[28][29][30] His physical presence and aerial ability were instrumental in the team's organized backline, supporting consistent performances that secured European qualification in multiple seasons.[3]Gençlerbirliği
In January 2018, Florentin Pogba transferred from Saint-Étienne to Turkish Süper Lig club Gençlerbirliği on a short-term contract lasting until the end of the 2017–18 season.[31][32] During his half-season stint, Pogba made eight appearances in the Süper Lig, accumulating 609 minutes of play without scoring any goals.[33] His limited role highlighted adaptation challenges to the physical and tactical demands of Turkish football, compounded by language barriers that hindered communication with coaches and teammates.[34] A notable incident occurred on 6 May 2018 during a 1–0 home defeat to Antalyaspor, when Pogba, sidelined by injury after all substitutions had been used, removed his shirt and walked off the pitch toward the locker room. This action sparked an on-field confrontation with teammates, including captain Ahmet Oğuz, who believed Pogba was abandoning the team; the altercation escalated in the changing room, leading to disciplinary scrutiny from the club.[35] Coach Ümit Özat defended Pogba, attributing the misunderstanding partly to the language barrier, but the episode underscored team tensions amid Gençlerbirliği's relegation battle.[36] Pogba's contract expired at the season's end in summer 2018 without renewal, due to his limited playing time and the club's poor performance, which culminated in relegation to the TFF First League; he became a free agent thereafter.[11][3]Atlanta United
Florentin Pogba joined Atlanta United as a free agent on February 5, 2019, following the expiration of his contract with Turkish Süper Lig club Gençlerbirliği at the end of the 2017–18 season.[11][5] The Guinea international signed as a Discovery Player, bringing his experience as a central defender to the defending MLS Cup champions.[37] Pogba made his MLS debut on May 16, 2019, substituting into a 3-0 home win over Orlando City SC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where he helped secure a clean sheet in a match that set an MLS attendance record.[38] In the 2019 season, he accumulated 22 first-team appearances without scoring, often providing depth in central defense amid injuries and rotations.[39] Additionally, Pogba featured in four matches for Atlanta United 2 in the USL Championship during 2019, logging 296 minutes as the reserve side competed in the league.[40] Pogba contributed significantly to Atlanta United's cup successes in 2019, starting in key fixtures en route to two trophies. In the Campeones Cup final on August 14, he started at left back and drew a penalty converted by Josef Martínez in a 3-2 victory over Club América, marking the club's first international title.[41][42] He also played the full 90 minutes in the U.S. Open Cup final on August 27, partnering with Miles Robinson in defense during a 2-1 win against Minnesota United FC despite being reduced to ten men, securing Atlanta's first domestic cup.[43][44] In MLS regular-season play, Pogba formed reliable defensive partnerships, particularly with Robinson, during Atlanta United's third-place finish in the 2019 Eastern Conference standings.[43] The team advanced to the Eastern Conference finals that year, defeating the New England Revolution in the first round before falling 2-1 to Toronto FC.[45] His international commitments with Guinea occasionally limited his availability for club matches.[3]Sochaux
On 18 May 2020, Florentin Pogba joined FC Sochaux-Montbéliard on a free transfer from Atlanta United, signing a three-year contract that positioned him as a key centre-back in the club's defense.[46] His arrival brought tactical versatility from his recent MLS experience, where he had adapted to a high-pressing style, helping Sochaux integrate a more robust defensive structure.[47] Over the 2020–2022 period, Pogba made 65 appearances for Sochaux across Ligue 2 and cup competitions, scoring no goals while contributing to the team's backline stability.[39] As a veteran defender at age 30 upon arrival, he provided essential leadership during the club's promotion pushes, mentoring younger players and anchoring the defense in crucial matches.[6] Pogba's consistent performances helped Sochaux mount a strong challenge in the 2021–2022 Ligue 2 season, where the team finished fifth and advanced to the promotion playoff final, though they ultimately fell short on penalties to AJ Auxerre. His role emphasized reliability in the lower tiers of French football, focusing on aerial dominance and organizational skills rather than offensive output. In June 2022, with one year remaining on his contract, Pogba departed Sochaux as a free agent without renewal, influenced by his age of 31 and the club's evolving squad dynamics under new management priorities.[6]Mohun Bagan SG
Florentin Pogba joined Mohun Bagan SG on a two-year contract on 25 June 2022, transferring from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard ahead of the 2022–23 Indian Super League season to strengthen the club's defensive line with his experience from European leagues.[6][48] He made his debut on 20 August 2022, starting as a centre-back in Mohun Bagan's 2–3 group stage defeat to Rajasthan United in the Durand Cup at Salt Lake Stadium.[49][50] Over the course of the season, Pogba featured in five matches across all competitions—three in the Durand Cup and two in the ISL—accumulating approximately 320 minutes without registering a goal.[51][52] His involvement was curtailed by recurring injuries, notably a severe leg injury sustained in December 2022 that sidelined him for the rest of the campaign.[53][54] Nevertheless, as a squad member, Pogba contributed to Mohun Bagan SG's successful title defense, securing the Indian Super League championship with a 1–0 victory over Odisha FC on 15 March 2023. Pogba left the club as a free agent following the conclusion of the 2022–23 season.[55]R.E. Virton
On 25 July 2024, Pogba signed a one-year contract with R.E. Virton, a club competing in Belgium's National Division 1, marking his return to European football after stints in India and France.[56] During the 2024–25 season, he featured prominently as a central defender, making 30 appearances and scoring 6 goals, which established him as one of the team's top contributors from the back line.[57] His goals highlighted a shift toward a more offensive orientation in his defensive role, leveraging his aerial prowess and positioning during set-piece situations, consistent with his prior scoring record at clubs like Sedan and Saint-Étienne.[58] Pogba's veteran presence proved invaluable amid Virton's promotion push in the third tier, where he served as a defensive pillar and locker-room leader, mentoring younger teammates and drawing on his extensive experience from Ligue 1, Major League Soccer, and the Indian Super League to aid adaptation to the competitive demands.[56][58] His contract expired at the end of the summer 2025 transfer window without renewal, paving the way for his subsequent move to Stade Poitevin in France's National 2.[59]Stade Poitevin
Florentin Pogba signed with Stade Poitevin FC on August 6, 2025, as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with R.E. Virton in the Belgian third division.[8][60] The move marked his return to French football after stints abroad, joining the club in National 2, the fourth tier of the French league system.[60] As a centre-back, Pogba has integrated into the team during the early stages of the 2025/26 season.[8] As of November 19, 2025, he has recorded 8 appearances across all competitions, totaling 720 minutes played, with 7 starts in National 2 Group A and 1 in the Coupe de France, where he netted his sole goal of the campaign in a 2–1 victory over AA Lapalisse on November 15.[61] He has received 1 yellow card and no red cards to date.[61] At 35 years old, Pogba's signing provides defensive stability and leadership to a Stade Poitevin side that finished 13th in National 2 Group B the previous season.[60] His experience from Ligue 1 with AS Saint-Étienne and international play for Guinea positions him to contribute to the club's ambitions in the lower divisions.[8]International career
Youth international career
Florentin Pogba, born in Conakry, Guinea, but raised in France from a young age, was eligible to represent the French national youth teams due to his long-term residency in the country.[3][1] In 2010, Pogba received his first senior call-up to the Guinea national team for a friendly match against Mali on 11 August, where he made a substitute appearance. However, as this was a non-competitive friendly, it did not bind him under FIFA eligibility rules, allowing him to later represent France at youth level.[3] During the 2011–2012 season, Pogba earned selection to the France under-20 team, where he primarily operated in a defensive role.[1] Over this period, he accumulated three caps without scoring any goals, featuring in friendly matches and competitive fixtures against other international youth squads.[1] Notably, Pogba participated in the 2011 Maurice Revello Tournament—previously known as the Toulon Tournament—as part of the France U20 squad coached by Pierre Mankowski, alongside future senior internationals such as Kalidou Koulibaly.[62] In this tournament, held from June 1 to 10 in Toulon, France, he contributed to the team's defensive efforts during group stage and knockout matches, including starting in the final against Colombia on June 10.[63][62] This was permitted under FIFA regulations as his prior senior appearance for Guinea was in a friendly match, which does not preclude youth representation for another eligible nation.[64] Following his youth international commitments with France, Pogba opted to pledge his allegiance to Guinea, drawn by his family's heritage in the West African nation, beginning with competitive appearances in 2013.[17]Senior international career
Florentin Pogba's initial senior international appearance for Guinea came on 11 August 2010 in a 0–1 friendly defeat to Mali, entering as a half-time substitute under coach Michel Dussuyer.[3] After his subsequent youth appearances for France, he committed fully to Guinea. Over the following years, he accumulated 31 caps for the Syli National between 2010 and 2021 (with his first competitive cap in 2013), contributing as a reliable defender without scoring any goals.[65][66] Pogba's most notable international tournament experience came at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, where he started in the group stage matches for Guinea's Group D campaign. He featured in the opening 1–1 draw against Mali and the subsequent 1–1 result versus Cameroon, helping anchor the defense during a hard-fought qualification for the quarter-finals.[67] However, during the Cameroon match on 24 January 2015, Pogba sustained a serious thigh injury that forced his withdrawal from the tournament, sidelining him for the decisive group stage match against Ivory Coast and the knockout stages.[26] Pogba continued to earn call-ups in subsequent years, including qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, but his international involvement tapered off after 2021 amid injuries and club priorities.[68] In December 2021, he withdrew from Guinea's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations due to a knee injury and personal commitments, marking the effective end of his senior international career at age 31.[69]Career statistics
Club statistics
Florentin Pogba's club career statistics encompass appearances and goals across multiple leagues, domestic cups, and continental competitions, totaling 338 appearances and 16 goals as of November 15, 2025.[21]Breakdown by Club
The table below summarizes his total appearances and goals for each professional club, including reserve teams where applicable.| Club | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| AS Saint-Étienne | 99 | 2 |
| CS Sedan Ardennes | 90 | 7 |
| FC Sochaux-Montbéliard | 65 | 0 |
| R.E. Virton | 30 | 6 |
| Atlanta United | 22 | 0 |
| Gençlerbirliği | 9 | 0 |
| ATK Mohun Bagan | 6 | 0 |
| Stade Poitevin | 8 | 1 |
| AS Saint-Étienne II | 4 | 0 |
| Atlanta United 2 | 4 | 0 |
| FC Sochaux-Montbéliard II | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 338 | 16 |
Breakdown by Competition
Pogba's contributions vary by league level, with significant play in French divisions, MLS, and European qualifiers. The 2025–26 season at Stade Poitevin remains ongoing, featuring 7 appearances and 0 goals in National 2 Groupe A, plus 1 appearance and 1 goal in the Coupe de France (scored on October 25, 2025). The table below details aggregate appearances and goals across key competitions, aligned with club totals.| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | 80 | 2 |
| Ligue 2 | 130 | 7 |
| Süper Lig | 8 | 0 |
| Major League Soccer | 13 | 0 |
| MLS Cup Playoffs | 4 | 0 |
| Indian Super League | 2 | 0 |
| National 2 Groupe A | 7 | 0 |
| 1ste Nationale ACFF | 20 | 5 |
| 1ste Nationale ACFF Playoffs | 10 | 1 |
| UEFA Europa League | 20 | 0 |
| UEFA Europa League Qualifying | 8 | 0 |
| Coupe de France | 11 | 0 |
| Coupe de la Ligue | 6 | 0 |
| USL Championship | 4 | 0 |
| US Open Cup | 1 | 0 |
| Durand Cup | 3 | 0 |
| Türkiye Kupası | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 338 | 16 |
International statistics
Florentin Pogba represented France at youth level, earning 3 caps for the U20 team between 2011 and 2012 with no goals or assists recorded.[17] At senior level, he played for Guinea from 2010 to 2021, accumulating 31 caps, 0 goals, and 0 assists, with his last appearance in 2021.[68] His international record includes notable participation in major competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations, where he made 3 appearances in the 2015 edition.[68]Senior international statistics (Guinea)
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africa Cup of Nations | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Africa Cup of Nations qualification | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| World Cup qualification | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| International friendlies | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| African Nations Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Other qualifiers | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 31 | 0 | 0 |
Youth international statistics (France U20)
| Year | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2012 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 | 0 |