Antoine Semenyo, born on January 7, 2000, in Chelsea, London, is a lightning-fast right winger for AFC Bournemouth and a key player for the Ghana national team. Standing 1.85 meters tall, Semenyo — nicknamed “The Cheetah” for his astonishing 35 km/h sprint speed — has scored 26 goals in 88 matches for Bournemouth (as of October 2025).
At 25, Antoine Semenyo is among Ghana’s finest football talents, valued at €44.8 million (Transfermarkt). This in-depth biography explores his journey through every club, national team achievement, personal life with girlfriend Jordeen Buckley, disciplined Capricorn lifestyle, and his growing legacy in the Premier League.
Introduction: Who Is Antoine Semenyo?
Antoine Selorm Semenyo is more than just a footballer — he is the embodiment of perseverance, humility, and ambition. Born in Chelsea, London, on January 7, 2000, to Ghanaian-French parents who migrated to the UK in the late 1990s, Semenyo grew up in multicultural South London, where football was the heartbeat of the community.
At 1.85 meters and 76 kilograms, Semenyo’s frame perfectly suits his position as a right winger, blending explosive pace, sharp dribbling, and powerful finishing. Fans at Bournemouth affectionately call him “The Cheetah” for his blistering top speed of 35 km/h — among the fastest in the Premier League.
As of October 2025, Semenyo is a key figure at AFC Bournemouth, whom he joined in 2023 for £10 million from Bristol City. In 88 matches, he has notched 26 goals and 14 assists, becoming the top-scoring Ghanaian in the Premier League 2024/25 season (11 goals). For the Ghana national team, he debuted in 2023, earning 18 caps and scoring 5 goals. His market value — now €44.8 million — has quadrupled since his Bournemouth arrival, attracting interest from top clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham.
Speaking to The Athletic in October 2024, Semenyo said:
“Football saved me from the streets of London. I want to show that no matter where you come from, you can shine.”
Early Life and Education: The Streets That Built “The Cheetah”
Antoine Semenyo was born at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to Ghanaian father Larry Semenyo, a taxi driver from Accra, and French-Ghanaian mother Vida Semenyo, a healthcare worker. His parents settled in Greenwich, South London, seeking better opportunities while maintaining strong Ghanaian roots.
Growing up as the eldest of three siblings, Semenyo spent his childhood playing street football with homemade goalposts and old balls. “We played until it got dark,” he told BBC Sport in 2023. “That’s when I fell in love with the game.”
His early years were far from easy. When his father lost his job during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Semenyo delivered food for Uber Eats to help the family.
He attended Harris Academy Greenwich (2012–2017), where he excelled on the school team, scoring over 50 goals per season. Academically, he was an average student (grade C), but teachers remembered him as “energetic, humble, and inspiring.”
Between ages 15 and 17, Semenyo failed multiple trials — at Arsenal, Tottenham, and Millwall — and was rejected by Crystal Palace after an eight-week trial. Disheartened, he almost quit football to become a mechanic. His turning point came when Dave Hockaday, former Leeds United coach, invited him to a football scholarship at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in 2016.
There, he studied for a BTEC National Diploma in Sport while training intensively. His progress earned him a trial at Bristol City Academy in 2017 — marking his transformation from a street footballer to a professional.
“College saved my career,” Semenyo told The Guardian in 2024. “It taught me discipline and resilience — not just football.”
Professional Career: From Championship Hopeful to Premier League Star
With over 200 professional appearances by age 25, Semenyo’s career reflects patience, consistency, and steady growth.
Bristol City (2017–2023): Foundation and Breakthrough
Semenyo signed his first professional contract with Bristol City on January 31, 2018, after joining their academy in 2017. He made his first-team debut on May 6, 2018, in a 2–3 defeat to Sheffield United.
To gain experience, he was loaned out:
- Bath City (2017–18): 14 matches, 3 goals — first taste of senior football.
- Newport County (2018–19): 32 matches, 6 goals — highlighted by a full 90-minute display in a historic FA Cup win over Leicester City.
- Sunderland (2019–20): 7 appearances before COVID-19 halted the season.
Returning to Bristol City in 2020, he enjoyed a breakout season: 50 matches, 5 goals, 7 assists, and the Club Young Player of the Year award. His 2021–22 campaign (8 goals, 12 assists) established him as one of the Championship’s most dynamic attackers. By 2022, Premier League scouts were watching closely.
Across six seasons, Semenyo played 112 games, scoring 16 goals and 20 assists — a steady climb from a benchwarmer to a Championship star.
Bournemouth (2023–Present): The Leap to the Premier League
On January 27, 2023, Bournemouth signed Semenyo for £10 million. His debut came on February 4, 2023, against Brighton, and his first goal arrived two months later in a 4–1 win over Leeds United.
Under Andoni Iraola, appointed in 2023, Semenyo flourished. In the 2023–24 season, he scored 8 goals and 2 assists, including a stunning strike against Liverpool at Anfield.
The 2024–25 season marked his explosion: 11 goals and 5 assists in 38 games — the best of his career. Notable moments included ending Manchester City’s 11-month unbeaten streak, a hat-trick against West Ham, and a last-minute winner at Old Trafford.
As of October 2025, Semenyo boasts 26 goals and 14 assists in 88 Bournemouth appearances, making him one of the most valuable African players in England.
“The Premier League is my dream,” he told The Athletic. “Bournemouth gave me the stage, and I’ll always be grateful.”
International Career: Flying the Ghanaian Flag
Eligible for England, France, or Ghana, Semenyo chose Ghana — his parents’ homeland. He debuted for the Black Stars on March 25, 2023, in a 3–0 win over Angola, providing an assist. His first international goal came six months later in a 3–1 victory over Liberia.
He helped Ghana win the AFCON 2023, contributing 2 goals and 1 assist, and continued to shine in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with 5 goals in 10 matches.
By October 2025, he had earned 18 caps and scored 5 goals for Ghana, cementing his place under coach James Appiah.
“Playing for Ghana is an honor,” Semenyo told GhanaWeb in July 2025. “My dream is to bring the World Cup to Africa.”
Personal Life: Love, Family, and Faith
Antoine Semenyo is private but family-oriented. His Instagram (@antoinesemenyo) features mostly football and family photos, with over 150,000 followers.
He has been in a serious relationship with Jordeen Buckley, a London-based lifestyle influencer, since 2023. The couple met at an event in London shortly after his Premier League debut. Jordeen (born 1999) boasts over 200,000 followers and often shares travel posts supporting Semenyo.
They went public in May 2024 when she posted for his birthday: “Proud of you, my cheetah!” The couple live together in Bournemouth but frequently visit his parents, Larry and Vida, in London.
A devout Christian, Semenyo often posts Bible verses and prays before games.
Lifestyle and Personality: The Disciplined Capricorn
Semenyo’s Capricorn zodiac sign fits his driven personality — hardworking, realistic, and determined. His Chinese zodiac sign, Dragon, symbolizes leadership and strength, traits evident in his rapid rise.
He maintains a strict lifestyle:
- Protein-rich diet (salmon, grilled chicken)
- Gym 5 days a week (speed and endurance focus)
- Early bedtime (10 PM) and daily meditation
- No smoking or alcohol
Semenyo enjoys running marathons, listening to Ghanaian rap (Sarkodie), and watching Marvel films, especially Black Panther. A lifelong Arsenal fan, he once said to Sky Sports in 2024: “I dreamed of playing for Arsenal, but Bournemouth is home.”
With a weekly salary of £40,000, endorsement deals with Nike, and total assets estimated at £5 million, Semenyo invests wisely — owning property in Bournemouth and driving an Audi RS6.
Legacy and Future: Ghana’s Rising Star in the Premier League
At 25, Antoine Semenyo is writing a remarkable chapter for African football in Europe. His rise from the streets of Greenwich to Premier League stardom embodies the spirit of determination and self-belief.
With top clubs like Chelsea reportedly offering £78 million (October 2025), his future may soon involve a move to one of England’s elite. Yet, his focus remains on Bournemouth and Ghana’s World Cup dream.
“I want to inspire kids in Ghana the same way others inspired me,” Semenyo told ESPN in 2025.
Whether he stays with Bournemouth or joins a European powerhouse, Antoine Semenyo’s story is far from over — it’s the unfolding tale of a boy who ran faster than his obstacles and is now sprinting toward greatness.