Manchester United: these three Cameroonians wore the Red Devils shirt before Carlos Baleba

Carlos Baleba becomes the fourth Cameroonian to join Manchester United. Before him, Eric Djemba-Djemba, André Onana, and Bryan Mbeumo all donned the Red Devils jersey.

The arrival of Carlos Baleba at Manchester United opens a new chapter in the story of Cameroonian players at the English club. Officially unveiled on Tuesday after his move from Brighton, the 22-year-old midfielder becomes the fourth Cameroonian to sign for the Red Devils. He follows in the footsteps of three internationals, each with their own unique journey: Eric Djemba-Djemba, André Onana, and Bryan Mbeumo.

Eric Djemba-Djemba, the Cameroonian trailblazer

The first to break new ground was Eric Djemba-Djemba. Arriving at Manchester United in 2003 from FC Nantes, the defensive midfielder signed a five-year deal with the Manchester club. The transfer fee could reach around six million euros, depending on his performances.

Between 2003 and 2005, Djemba-Djemba made 39 appearances and scored two goals for United, including a Champions League strike against Panathinaikos in a 5-0 victory. Despite a promising start, he never managed to truly establish himself in United’s midfield, in part due to fierce competition from the likes of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher, and Kleberson.

André Onana, the new number one

Twenty years after Djemba-Djemba, another Cameroonian landed at Old Trafford. In July 2023, André Onana left Inter Milan for Manchester United to replace David De Gea. The goalkeeper signed a five-year contract, with an optional extra year, in a deal reportedly worth around £47 million.

Renowned for his composure with the ball at his feet and his distribution, Onana quickly became a key figure in United’s starting eleven. His arrival also marked the first time a Cameroonian goalkeeper settled at one of England’s most prestigious clubs.

Bryan Mbeumo, the Cameroonian who made his mark

The third to precede Baleba was Bryan Mbeumo. The forward joined Manchester United in July 2025 after several standout seasons at Brentford. He penned a five-year contract with an additional year as an option, for an initial transfer fee of £65 million, potentially rising with bonuses.

Mbeumo was coming off a sensational 2024-2025 campaign with Brentford, netting 20 Premier League goals. In his debut season at Manchester United, he scored 12 times across all competitions, finishing as the club’s joint-top scorer alongside Benjamin Šeško.

Baleba, the fourth chapter

With Baleba, Manchester United are now investing in a different profile: a powerful, high-energy midfielder with the ability to cover huge areas of the pitch. Signed from Brighton for an initial fee reported to be around £60 million, the Cameroonian has committed to the club until 2031, with an option for an extra year.

After Djemba-Djemba, Onana, and Mbeumo, Baleba now has the chance to write his own story at Old Trafford.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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