Jonathan David is a true star of Canadian soccer. Having grown up in Ottawa since the age of six, where he started playing, his story is not only about football achievements but also about philanthropy and a genuine desire to help other children realize their soccer dreams. Learn more about his journey on iottawa.net.
Childhood of a Future Soccer Star
Jonathan Christian David was born in 2000 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. As a child, he moved with his family to Haiti, and at the age of six, they immigrated to Ottawa. He grew up in the Franco-Ontarian community of eastern Ottawa and attended a French-language public school.
This time was crucial in shaping Jonathan’s interests and aspirations. He began playing in several local youth clubs, which laid the foundation for his soccer career.
At 10 years old, Jonathan joined the Ottawa Gloucester Dragons SA club, a nonprofit organization established in 2009 (previously known as Gloucester Soccer Association). The team itself was founded in 1971 and is renowned for providing youth and adults in Eastern Ottawa opportunities to play soccer, offering not only training but also competitions and recreational programs year-round.
By age 10, the future star of Canadian soccer became part of this club. At 11, he joined Ottawa Gloucester SC, and by 2016, he was playing for Ottawa Internationals SC.
Soccer seemed destined for him, as Jonathan’s father had also been a goal-scoring prodigy in his teenage years. In interviews, David often highlighted how deeply soccer is rooted in Haitian culture and how much he has always loved the sport.
Soccer Career
Jonathan David was determined to play professionally in Europe. He often spoke warmly about his youth coach, Hanny El-Maghraby, who was instrumental in helping him transition to professional soccer in Europe.
Before signing with the Belgian club Gent, David tried his luck with FC Salzburg and Stuttgart, but both clubs turned him down.
Achievements
At 18, Jonathan moved to Belgium, and in 2020, he joined the French club Lille.
Jonathan Christian David is a professional forward for Ligue 1’s Lille OSC and the Canadian national team.
In 2019, he was named Canada’s Player of the Year, recognized as a leader among Canada’s young soccer players. Despite his achievements and hard work, David is known for being energetic and somewhat humble in everyday life.
Life Beyond Soccer
What is Jonathan David like “off the field”? He enjoys gaming, fashion, and spending time with friends and family. His love for fashion is evident in his experiments with different styles.
This passion for fashion began through a collaboration with the renowned streetwear boutique Union Los Angeles and the marketing agency Fly Nowhere. Together, they launched the “For Haiti” gear collection, which David personally helped design.
Through this initiative, David showcased another side of himself. Proceeds from the collection were donated to Haitian charities, including the Haitian Foundation and The Sanneh Foundation, to support sustainable development programs. According to David, soccer can serve as a powerful catalyst in the fight against poverty.
Jonathan recalls his early years in Haiti fondly and believes his childhood dream came true. Now, he hopes other children will have the opportunity to achieve their soccer aspirations as well.
