Christian Kai John Forino-Joseph (born 26 April 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Bolton Wanderers. Born in England, he plays for the Saint Lucia national football team.
He is a product of the Brentford Academy and played his first senior football with non-League clubs Wingate & Finchley and Loughborough University.
Club career Early years A defender, Forino-Joseph began his youth career with spells in the Soccer Chance Academy, the Brentford Academy and Cheshunt U18. After a break from football to focus on education, he signed his first professional contract with the U23 team at League Two club Colchester United in July 2018. Forino-Joseph was released when his one-year contract expired and joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Wingate & Finchley in September 2019. He made 20 appearances and scored one goal during the COVID-19-affected 2019–20 season. Forino-Joseph had a spell at United Counties League Premier Division club Loughborough University during the first half of the 2020–21 season, which was again abandoned early due to COVID-19.
Wycombe Wanderers After a trial period, Forino-Joseph signed a one-year contract with Championship club Wycombe Wanderers on 27 April 2021. Following the club's relegation to League One shortly after he arrived at Adams Park, he had a long spell out injured and undertook a lengthy course of conditioning with the club's Development Squad physiotherapist. Forino-Joseph made his senior debut with a start in a 3–1 EFL Trophy group stage defeat to Aston Villa U21 on 31 August 2021. His second appearance came with a start in a FA Cup first round match versus Hartlepool United on 6 November and he scored the first senior goal for the club in the 2–2 draw.
In April 2024, Forino was allegedly racially abused by Blackpool fans.
He was offered a new contract by Wycombe at the end of the 2023–24 season.
Bolton Wanderers On 14 June 2024, it was announced that Forino-Joseph would join EFL League One side Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer, signing a three-year contract set to be activated on 1 July 2024.
In September 2024 he suffered a hamstring injury. He underwent surgery in October, and was expected to be out for 3 to 4 months.
On 1 April 2025, he scored his first goal for Bolton in their local derby with Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium. The goal in the latter stages of the game handed Wanderers a 1-0 victory and was their first win over Wigan in ten years. Forino-Joseph later dedicated his goal to the Bolton fans.https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/forino-one-was-fans, That one was for the fans, Bolton Wanderers FC, 2 April 2025
International career Forino-Joseph was eligible for England, Italy and Saint Lucia, and in December 2022, pledged his international allegiance to Saint Lucia. He received his first call-up to the Saint Lucia national team in November 2023.
Personal life In 2021, Forino-Joseph gave up a place at university in order to become a professional footballer. He is of Saint Lucian and Italian descent.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWingate & Finchley2019–20Isthmian League Premier Division16100―40201Loughborough University2020–21United Counties League Premier Division6010―3191Wycombe Wanderers2021–22League One1511100201822022–23League One3040020203442023–24League One300102151382Total755214191908Bolton Wanderers2024–25League One1620030001922025–26League One2811010603612026–27Championship6000100070Total503105060623Career total1479419122118113
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSaint Lucia202421Total21
Scores and results list Saint Lucia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Forino-Joseph goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Chris Forino-JosephNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George's, Grenada1–02–12024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B
Honours Wycombe Wanderers EFL Trophy runner-up: 2023–24
Bolton Wanderers EFL League One play-offs: 2026
References