Théo Bongonda Mbul'Ofeko Batombo (born 20 November 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Saudi Pro League club Al Faisaly. Born in Belgium, he plays for the DR Congo national team.
Club career Zulte Waregem Born in Charleroi, Bongonda began his career in JMG Academy in 2008, aged 13. In January 2013, he joined Belgian Pro League team SV Zulte Waregem, initially assigned to the youth setup.
Bongonda made his professional debut on 25 September 2013, starting in a 2–1 away win against KFC VW Hamme, for the season's Belgian Cup. His league debut came on 15 December, coming on as a second half substitute in a 3–0 home win against Lierse SK.
Bongonda scored his first professional goal on 15 January 2014, netting his side's first in a 2–3 away loss against Cercle Brugge KSV. On 20 April 2014, he scored his first league goal, netting the first in a 3–2 away loss against KSC Lokeren.
Celta Vigo On 9 January 2015, Bongonda signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with La Liga side Celta de Vigo. He made his debut in the competition on the 26th, coming on as a late substitute for Nemanja Radoja in a 2–1 away loss against Getafe CF.
Trabzonspor On 15 June 2017, Bongonda joined Trabzonspor on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy. He however ended up being on the bench more than on the pitch.
Zulte Waregem During the winter transfer window of the 2017–18 season, Bongonda rejoined Zulte-Waregem on loan. On 4 July 2018, he joined Essevee permanently on a four-year contract, until 30 June 2022.
Genk Bongonda joined fellow Belgian First Division A club Genk in summer 2019 for a club-record fee.
Bongonda scored the game winner for Genk against Standard Liège in the Belgian Cup Final on 25 April 2021.
On 23 July 2021, Bongonda scored Genk's first goal in the 2021–22 Belgian First Division A season, securing a 1–1 draw against the same opponents.
Cádiz On 26 August 2022, Bongonda Edris returned to Spain after signing a four-year contract with Cádiz in the top tier.
Spartak Moscow In July 2023, Bongonda agreed to move to Russian club Spartak. The contract is calculated until 2026. It is alleged that Spartak paid Cadiz 10 million euros.
He left Spartak at the conclusion of the 2025–26 season.
International career Bongonda was born in Belgium to a Congolese father and Belgian mother. He is a youth international for Belgium. In January 2022, Fifa accepted his eligibility join the DR Congo national team. He debuted for the DR Congo national team in a 1–0 friendly loss to Bahrain on 1 February 2022.
On 27 December 2023, he was selected from the list of 24 Congolese players selected by Sébastien Desabre to compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations..
On 19 May 2026, he was included in the 26-man squad selected by head coach Sébastien Desabre to represent the DR Congo at the 2026 FIFA World Cup..
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsZulte Waregem2013–14Belgian Pro League1905100—2412014–15Belgian Pro League143203000193Total3337130—435Celta Vigo2014–15La Liga811000—912015–16La Liga2323000—2622016–17La Liga3016160—422Total61410160—775Trabzonspor (loan)2017–18Süper Lig303200—62Zulte Waregem (loan)2017–18Belgian Pro League115—0020135Zulte Waregem2018–19Belgian Pro League2882000963914Genk2019–20Belgian Pro League2251060—2952020–21Belgian Pro League351642——39182021–22Belgian Pro League34120000113513Total913352601110336Cádiz2022–23La Liga31410——324Spartak Moscow2023–24Russian Premier League257101——3582024–25Russian Premier League27771——3482025–26Russian Premier League4020——60Total5614192——7516Al Faisaly2026–27Saudi Pro League5200——52Career total3197347815012739388
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsDR Congo2022302023832024151202593202680Total437
Scores and results list DR Congo's goal tally first. + List of international goals scored by Théo Bongonda No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 14 June 2023 Stade de la Réunification, Douala, Cameroon 1–0 1–0 Friendly 2. 9 September 2023 Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo 1–0 2–0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 3. 15 November 2023 2–0 2–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 4. 9 September 2024 Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 1–0 2–0 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 5. 21 March 2025 Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo 1–0 1–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 6. 14 October 2025 1–0 1–0 7. 23 December 2025 Al Medina Stadium, Rabat, Morocco 1–0 1–0 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Honours Genk Belgian Cup: 2020–21
Spartak Moscow Russian Cup: 2025–26
References
External links