
Quick Facts | |
---|---|
Full Name | Anthony David Junior Elanga |
Nickname | Elanga |
Profession | Footballer |
Physical Stats & More | |
Height (approx.) | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Weight (approx.) | 70-75 kg (154-165 lbs) |
Eye Colour | Dark brown |
Hair Colour | Black |
Football Career | |
Youth Career | Clubs or Academies He Trained With (Child/Teen) – IF Elfsborg (Sweden): First youth club – Malmö FF (Sweden): Continued training; his father played there professionally – Hattersley FC (England): Local grassroots club post-move; scored 17 goals + 27 assists in 14 games – Manchester United Academy (England): Joined around age 12 (2014/15), formal academy training begins When He Joined a Major Youth Academy – Joined Man United at age 12 (2014) – Transfermarkt logs 2015–2021 – Signed scholarship deal in July 2018 – Debuted for U18s at age 15 (April 2018) – Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year (2020) |
Senior Club Debut | When & Where • 11 May 2021 at Old Trafford, in a Premier League match for Manchester United against Leicester City. Against Which Club • Leicester City – makes debut notable as a high-profile Premier League fixture under Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Age at Debut • 19 years old (debut on 11 May 2021). |
Club Career Timeline | |
Manchester United | Years – 2018 (senior debut)–2023 Transfer Details Promoted from academy; senior breakthrough in 2021; left on free/academy exit (sell-on clause applies) Shirt No. #56 in debut season; later wore #36 in 2021–22 ![]() Appearances & Goals 55 appearances / 4 goals (across all competitions) Big Moments • Senior debut: 11 May 2021 vs Leicester at Old Trafford • First senior goal: last day of 2020–21 vs Wolves (2–1 win) • Notable Champions League goal: vs Atlético Madrid, Feb 2022 |
Nottingham Forest | Years Jul 2023–Jul 2025 Transfer Details Transferred from Man United for £15 million, five-year deal with sell-on clause to United. Shirt No. Wore #21 for Forest ![]() Appearances & Goals 82 apps, 11 goals, plus 21 assists in all competitions Big Moments • First Forest goal: vs Chelsea, 2 Sept 2023 • Hat-trick of assists: 1 Feb 2025 vs Brighton (7–0 win) • Winning goal vs Manchester United, 1 Apr 2025 • Key to Forest’s 2024–25 campaign, helping European qualification with 6 goals & 11 assists |
Newcastle United | Years July 2025–present Transfer Details Transferred from Forest to Newcastle for £52 million guarantee + £3 m add‑ons (£55 m total) Shirt No. #20 for Newcastle ![]() Appearances & Goals 0 apps/goals — move just announced in July 2025 Big Moments • Anticipated to debut in Champions League‑qualified side • Praised for elite pace (100 m in 10.93 s) ahead of move, described as “freakish athlete” |
Major Achievements at Club Level | |
Club Trophies | Club / Season • Manchester United – EFL Cup Winner (2022–23) • Manchester United – UEFA Europa League Runner-up (2020–21) • Manchester United – FA Cup Runner-up (2022–23) |
Academy / Youth Awards | Club / Season • Manchester United – Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year (2019–20) |
Premier League / Club Awards | Club / Season • Nottingham Forest (Dec 2024) – Forest Player of the Month – December 2024 • Nottingham Forest (2024–25) – Hublot Young Player of the Season |
Premiership Wide Recognition | Premier League (2024–25) • Premier League Young Player of the Year Nominee |
Notable Performance Honors | Nottingham Forest (Apr 2025) • Goal of the Season contender vs Man United |
Notable Transfers | |
United → Nottingham | Club Manchester United → Nottingham Forest (July 2023) Fee / Details Fee £15 million, permanent deal; United retain potential sell‑on clause. Why He Transferred Sought more playing time, first-team opportunity; Rangnick/Erik ten Hag had limited plans, Garnacho rising in pecking order. Media & Fan Reaction Forest fans enthusiastic → “Electric… worked hard… high ceiling” [1] United fans divided → some called the £15m sale “dumbest deal,” others saw cash for fringe player as justified. [2] |
Nottingham → Newcastle | Club Nottingham Forest → Newcastle United (July 2025) Fee / Details Fee £52m initial + £3m add‑ons = £55m, one of club’s record sales. Manchester United receives £8m sell‑on. Why He Transferred Motivated by career progression, Champions League football, higher level of competition after strong Forest season. Media & Fan Reaction Forest fans split → proud of financial gain but sad to lose key player: “£55m is fantastic price”; also concern over replacing him tactically. [1] Newcastle fans overwhelmingly positive: “Fantastic signing… fast front three” and excited to pair with Isak under Howe. [2] |
Quotes from Coaches & Teammates | |
Ralf Rangnick | “He is playing as though it is a dream come true… it is a joy and fun to watch him play. I wish a few other players would take him as an example and as a role model.” ~ (Manchester United, Champions League vs Atlético Madrid, Feb 2022) [!] |
Anthony Elanga | “Think it was my first touch as well! I have dreamt of moments like this… whenever I’m given an opportunity I want to repay the manager… I want to be the best player on the pitch.” ~ (BT Sport post-match, after El Madrid goal) [!] |
Cristiano Ronaldo | “He knows what it takes to play at an absolute top level and when he talks you have to listen… he always takes the time and talks to us youngsters.” ~ (as described by Elanga) [!] |
Steve Cooper | “He’s a good finisher… a young and hungry player… we know we can grow… days like this will help him.” ~ (Nottingham Forest coach, after his first Forest goal at Chelsea) [!] |
Reddit/NFFC fans | “He was such a joy to watch today. Energy, commitment, style – everything.” [!] |
Media Praise & Recognition | |
The Guardian | Described him as a “vital” figure; late equaliser rescue in Champions League traced to first touch brilliance. ~ (Match report vs Atlético, Feb 2022) [!] |
TNT Sports + Straits Times | Termed his solo goal “sensational,” recalling Cristiano Ronaldo‑era classics; Nuno called him “special boy.” ~ (after Forest win vs United Apr 2025) [!] |
BBC Sport | Portrayed him as pivotal to Forest’s resurgence; described his goal as a “special moment” and praised his pace. ~ (Forest push to Champions League, Apr 2025) [!] |
Swedish press | Marca called him “the guy who soured the night for Atlético”; Aftonbladet titled him “Supersub”. ~ (Marca, Aftonbladet coverage) [!] |
Playing Style & Strengths/Weaknesses | |
Primary Role on the Pitch | Primary Position Winger / Forward, typically deployed on the left flank, often cutting inside on his stronger right foot. Official designation by both club sources and tactical analysts affirm his forward status. Tactical Role Inverted winger (right-footed on left side) playing as an attacking or goalscoring winger, making penetrating central runs the “raumdeuter” style. (Wikipedia on inverted wingers) | In-depth tactical role aligned with modern positional theory and stylistic deployment in elite systems. | Style of Play Uses quick dribble touches, sudden changes of pace, and overlapping movement to cut inside, beat defenders, and either shoot or assist. Presses intensely off the ball and contributes to transitions.| Detailed analysis supports his fit within high-intensity, direct systems—highlighting technical and tactical attributes. | Play Context / System Thrives in counter-attacking, low-possession systems (as at Nottingham Forest under Nuno Espírito Santo). He attacks space quickly rather than retaining possession. |
Strengths | Clinical Finishing While still developing consistency, Elanga has demonstrated composure in high-pressure moments, most memorably his 85‑metre solo goal against Manchester United in April 2025, calmly finishing after a sprint. Intelligent Positioning Frequently makes well‑timed off‑ball runs from wide areas into the box, exploiting gaps to finish or assist—scored against Brentford via precise central movement off the left. Elite Pace & Two‑Footedness Possesses exceptional acceleration both on/off the ball. Ranks fourth-best in two‑footed shooting balance in the Premier League with approximately 20.8% difference between right and left foot shot share. Excellent Short‑Passing & Combination Play Frequently links with teammates in quick transitions. At Notts Forest, six of his eleven assists came from crosses or open play combinations—working in sync with midfield runners and wide-play strategies. Composed Under Pressure & Work Ethic Displays maturity and reliability when given space or starting attacks. Also contributes defensively, pressing intensely and helping turnovers. Coaches highlight his high work rate and discipline. |
Weaknesses | Limited Left-Foot Impact & Crossing Consistency Analysis shows his left-footed delivery is less reliable, especially for lofted crosses and crossing accuracy ranks below top-tier wide midfielders. [!] Decision-Making & End-Product Consistency Fan and match analysis (e.g. Reddit and United-focused reporting) note variability in his shot selection and final-third decisions, especially under sustained pressure. [!] Defensive Awareness / Physical Duels While he presses energetically, his lighter frame can limit effectiveness in duels. Coaches Voice notes he sometimes loses aerial or physical battles especially static challenges. [!] |
Awards & Notable Records | |
Club Award | Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year (2019–20) – Awarded by Manchester United Academy. |
Team Honours | EFL Cup Winner (2022–23) with Manchester United. |
Monthly Award | Premier League Player of the Month – March 2025 for Nottingham Forest. |
Young Player Nominee | Premier League Young Player of the Season – Nominee 2024–25 (one of eight shortlisted). |
Goal of the Month | Winner – March 2025 for stunning solo goal against Manchester United. |
Record | Became Manchester United’s fifth-youngest goalscorer in the Champions League era (at age 19years, 9 months, 27 days), against Atlético Madrid. |
Injuries & Suspensions | |
Sep 10–17, 2023 | Nature of Issue Thigh injury Duration & Matches Missed Missed approx. 7 days and one match window. ~ Data from FootyStats / Flashscore, backed by consistent injury logging. [!] |
Nov 2023 (mid‑Nov) | Nature of Issue Knock injury, possible knee Duration & Matches Missed Out 10 days (two to three matches). ~ Reported after withdrawing from Sweden duty; Nottingham Forest medical update confirmed by Sports Mole. |
Dec 30, 2023 – Jan 2024 | Nature of Issue Knock injury (Persistent) Duration & Matches Missed Absent 31 days (4–5 matches) ~ Flashscore records show extended absence; context aligns with match absence in winter period. |
Apr 9–11, 2025 | Nature of Issue None recorded at senior level Duration & Matches Missed No red cards or official bans documented ~ Absence of suspensions across FootyStats / public disciplinary logs—indicating clean disciplinary record. |
Personal Life | |
Date of Birth | 27 April 2002 |
Age (as of 2025) | 23 years |
Nationality | Swedish |
Place of Birth | Hyllie ward of Malmö |
Hometown | Malmö, Sweden |
Zodiac sign | Taurus |
Religion | Christian (Catholic faith) |
Ethnicity | Cameroonian and Swedish |
Controversies | Racial abuse following FA Cup penalty miss After his crucial miss vs Middlesbrough in the FA Cup (Feb 2022), Elanga was subjected to racist abuse on Instagram. Screenshots circulated on social media. Manchester United and authorities condemned the abuse; Meta removed the comments and Greater Manchester Police opened an investigation. Marcus Rashford publicly supported him. [!] Alleged racist comment during Sweden U21 match (Oct 2021) During a European U21 qualifier vs Italy in Monza, Elanga reported being subjected to alleged racist remarks from an Italian opponent. The Swedish Football Association filed an oral report with UEFA, which launched an investigation; the FIGC denied the allegation. [!] Strain with Sweden national team management (Nov 2024) Elanga was notably excluded from Sweden’s squad; reported to have skipped a team dinner and not responded to calls from manager Jon Dahl Tomasson. Tomasson described his behavior as “strange.” [!] Thrown object incident at Leeds match (Feb 2022) While playing for Manchester United at Elland Road, Elanga was struck by a coin thrown from the crowd during a 4–2 win. The FA investigated the incident and it received condemnation from manager Ralf Rangnick. [!] On-field moment of momentary misjudgment (Brentford friendly passage) A fan-led critique noted he returned the ball too quickly in a match situation, reportedly aiding opponent’s counter-attack. The reaction suggested this showed awareness lapses early in his development. [!] |
Social Media | – Instagram – X (Twitter) – TikTok |
Relationship & More | |
Marital Status | Unmarried |
Girlfriend | Current Relationship China Navana (an eyebrow stylish) Dating Period: 2021 – present ![]() |
Family | |
Parents | Father – Joseph Elanga (a former professional footballer who played as a defender) Mother – Daniella Elanga (also originally from Cameroon, Daniella played women’s football for the Cameroon national team, though specific details about her career are limited) ![]() |
Financial Profile & Career Contracts | |
Market Value | Estimated Transfer Value between €42.8m as of July 2025 according to transfermarkt |
Contract History | • Signed long-term Manchester United deal in March 2021, expiring June 2026 with option for an additional year. • At Nottingham Forest, joined in 2023 on 5-year deal lasting until 2028. • Newcastle United: July 2025 new five‑year contract to 2030, part of £55M transfer. |
Salary Estimates | • Nottingham Forest (2023–25): £25,000/week (£1.3M/year) • Newcastle United (2025–30): £80,000/week (£4.2M/year gross + bonuses). |
Net Worth | • Estimates: £4.2M as of early 2025. • SalarySport projects £9.55M as of mid‑2025. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Elanga leave Man United?
25 July 2023 – Manchester United confirmed his permanent move to Nottingham Forest on that date.
How much is Anthony Elanga’s salary?
At Nottingham Forest (2023–25): £25,000/week (£1.3m/yr). At Newcastle United (2025–30, reported): £80,000/week (£4.2m/yr). Figures are reported/estimated by salary trackers; clubs did not disclose officially.
How much did Forest pay for Elanga?
£15 million (€17.5m) to Manchester United in July 2023. Five‑year deal.
How much did Newcastle pay for Elanga?
£52m guaranteed + £3m add‑ons (up to £55m total) in July 2025.
What number will Elanga wear?
#20 at Newcastle United (confirmed 18 July 2025 by the club).