From New York to Paris FC: Luca Koleosho’s Remarkable Journey

Luca Warrick Daeovie Koleosho’s path to professional football began far from the pitches of Ligue 1. Born on September 15, 2004, in Norwalk, Connecticut, the young talent embarked on a solitary journey at age 12 that would shape his career. As he later shared in interviews, “Je suis parti seul à 12 ans, sans famille” – I left alone at 12, without family – marking the start of a transatlantic pursuit of his football dreams.

Koleosho’s early years were rooted in the United States, where he first played for Trumbull United in Connecticut from 2011 to 2012. He then spent four years with the Manhattan Kickers youth academy in New York from 2012 to 2016, developing his skills as a winger before making the pivotal decision to move abroad.

In 2016, Koleosho joined the youth academy of CF Reus in Spain, beginning his European football education. His time in Catalonia lasted until 2020, when he transferred to the youth system of RCD Espanyol. This move proved instrumental in his development, as he worked his way through Espanyol’s youth ranks before signing his first professional contract with the club on June 2, 2021.

The contract secured his place at Espanyol for three additional seasons, setting the stage for his breakthrough into senior football. During the 2022-2023 season, Koleosho made appearances for both Espanyol B and the first team. He featured in 14 matches for Espanyol B, scoring two goals, and made five appearances for the Espanyol senior side, scoring one goal in La Liga.

His performances earned him a move to the Premier League, where he joined Burnley in 2023. At Turf Moor, Koleosho has made 43 appearances and scored three goals for the Clarets as of April 2026. His time at Burnley included loan spells that brought him back to familiar territory and onward to new challenges.

In the 2025-2026 season, Koleosho returned to Espanyol on loan, making three appearances without scoring. This stint was followed by his current loan move to Paris FC in Ligue 1, where he has quickly made an impact. Wearing the number 24 jersey, he has played 11 matches for the Parisian club during the 2025-2026 season, scoring two goals and contributing to the team’s attacking efforts.

Despite being born in the United States, Koleosho has chosen to represent Italy at the international level. His youth international career began with the United States U15 team in 2019, where he earned four caps. However, he switched allegiance to Italy, featuring for the Italy U19 team in 2023 with seven appearances. He then progressed through the Italy U20 squad with two appearances before becoming a regular for the Italy U21 team.

As of March 2026, Koleosho has earned 14 caps for the Italy U21 team, scoring four goals. His international honors include being part of the Italy squad that won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2023, held in Malta. This achievement highlights his contribution to Italy’s youth success on the continental stage.

Standing at 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches) tall and weighing 68 kilograms, Koleosho operates primarily as a winger or wide midfielder. His physical attributes and technical skills have made him a versatile attacking option for his clubs. At Paris FC, he has demonstrated his ability to contribute in the final third, with his two goals coming from 11 appearances and 297 minutes of play during the current season.

Koleosho’s journey from a young boy traveling alone from New York to Spain to a professional footballer plying his trade in Ligue 1 exemplifies the global nature of modern football. His story reflects the sacrifices made by young athletes pursuing their dreams across continents, navigating new cultures and footballing philosophies while maintaining focus on their development.

As he continues his loan spell at Paris FC, Koleosho remains a player to watch in Ligue 1. His progression from the youth academies of Connecticut and New York through Spanish football to the Premier League and now France illustrates a career built on adaptability and perseverance. The winger’s experience across multiple countries and leagues provides him with a unique perspective that he brings to every match he plays.

The next checkpoint in Koleosho’s career will be his continued development during his loan spell at Paris FC, with the potential for a return to Burnley or another move depending on his performance and the clubs’ plans. His journey serves as an inspiration to young footballers worldwide, demonstrating that talent combined with determination can overcome the challenges of pursuing a career far from home.

For more updates on Luca Koleosho’s career and other football stories, visit the football section of Archysport.