William Saliba


William Alain André Gabriel Saliba is a French professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Arsenal.

Club career

Saint-Étienne

Saliba began playing football at the age of 6, coached by the father of Kylian Mbappé. He moved to Saint-Étienne in 2016. He signed his first contract at the age of 17, on 30 May 2018. Saliba made his professional debut with Saint-Étienne in a 3–2 Ligue 1 win over Toulouse on 25 September 2018. He made 13 starting appearances for the first season at Saint-Étienne.

Arsenal

On 25 July 2019, Arsenal announced that Saliba had signed a "long-term" contract with the club, and would join up with the team after staying on loan at Saint-Étienne for the 2019–20 season. Media reported a contract duration of five years and that the transfer fee paid to Saint-Étienne amounted to £27 million. Arsenal faced competition from rivals Tottenham Hotspur to complete the deal, with both clubs meeting Saint-Étienne's valuation of the player, however, Saliba chose to join Arsenal, with the club's interest in Saliba dating back to autumn of 2018.

Saint-Étienne (loan)

Saliba re-joined Saint-Étienne on loan for the beginning of the 2019–20 Ligue 1 campaign, as part of the transfer with Arsenal. On 15 July 2020, it was confirmed by manager Claude Puel that Saliba would miss the upcoming Coupe de France cup final on 24 July and would end his loan at Saint-Étienne.

Return to Arsenal

Upon his return to Arsenal, Saliba was handed the number 4 shirt, previously worn by club legend Patrick Vieira.

Personal life

Born in France, Saliba is of Cameroonian descent.