Christopher Kalongo

Christopher Kalongo

Kalongo in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Christopher Tinga Kalongo
Date of birth	(2002-01-07) January 7, 2002 (age 23)
Place of birth	Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Forge FC
Number	29
Youth career
	Milton YSC
	Sigma FC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021	Sigma FC	10	(0)
2021–	Forge FC	17	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 22, 2024

Christopher Tinga Kalongo (born January 7, 2002) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper with Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League.

Early life

Kalongo was born in Canada to a South African mother and a Kenyan father. ^[1] He played youth soccer with the Milton Youth SC. ^[2] He later joined the youth system of Sigma FC. ^[3]

Club career

In 2021, Kalongo played in League1 Ontario with Sigma FC. ^[4]

In September 2021, he joined Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League on a developmental contract. ^[5] In February 2022, he signed a standard contract with Forge. ^{[6] [7]} He made his debut on April 10, 2022, against Pacific FC. ^[8] He won the CPL title with Forge in 2022. ^[9] In March 2023, he re-signed with the club for another season. ^[10] In October of the same year, he was a part of the Forge squad that won their fourth league title, following a 2–1 victory over Cavalry FC in the play-off final. ^[11] In his first three seasons with the club, he made just three appearances, serving as the backup goalkeeper, ^[12] however, after Triston Henry did not return to join the squad for the 2024 season, Kalongo began the 2024 season as the team's starting goalkeeper. ^{[13] [14]} He was named the Canadian Premier League Goalkeeper of the Month in April 2024. ^{[15] [16]}

On January 2, 2025, Forge announced that they had exercised their option on Kalongo for the 2025 season. ^{[17] [18]}

Personal life

In December 2024, Kalongo obtained his South African passport, with the goal of representing the South Africa national soccer team. ^{[19] [20]}

Career statistics

As of October 22, 2024 ^[21]

Club	Season	League			Playoffs		Domestic Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Sigma FC	2021 [4]	League1 Ontario	10	0	—		—		–		10	0
Forge FC	2021	Canadian Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2022		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2023		2	0	0	0	0	0	–		2	0
	2024		14	0	0	0	4	0	2	0	20	0
	Total		17	0	0	0	4	0	2	0	23	0
Career total			27	0	0	0	4	0	2	0	33	0

Honours

Forge FC

• Canadian Premier League: 2022, 2023

References

1. "Celebrating Black Excellence: Christopher Kalongo". Forge FC . February 23, 2024.
2. Jacques, John (September 11, 2021). "Forge Adds Goalkeeper Chris Kalongo To Developmental Contract". Northern Tribune.
3. "Forge FC Signs Canadians Jensen and Kalongo". Forge FC . February 15, 2022.
4. "Christopher Kalongo 2021 L1O Stats". League1 Ontario .
5. "Forge FC Sign Kalongo to a Development Goalkeeper Contract". Forge FC . September 11, 2021.
6. "Forge signs Canadians Jensen, Kalongo, adds four others". OneSoccer . February 15, 2022.
7. Lamontagne, Dale (February 15, 2022). "Forge FC sign Noah Jensen and Christopher Kalongo". Forge FC News.
8. Gangué-Ruzic, Alexandre (April 10, 2022). "Pacific FC holds on late for opening day win in CPL Final rematch vs. Forge". Canadian Premier League .
9. "Forge FC re-sign Canadian goalkeeper Christopher Kalongo". Forge FC .
10. Jacques, John (March 9, 2023). "Christopher Kalongo Returns To Forge". Northern Tribune.
11. Tierney, Mitchell (October 28, 2023). "Highlights & Analysis: Forge wins 2023 North Star Cup, defeating Cavalry to lift fourth playoff crown (Oct. 28, 2023)". OneSoccer . Retrieved October 29, 2023.
12. Hundert, Ethan (September 11, 2024). "Kalongo and Koleilat: Forge FC's Ultimate Goalkeeping Tandem". Forge FC .
13. Jacques, John (April 25, 2024). "'I Trust My Ability': Kalongo Enjoying Opportunity To Impress As Forge Starter". Northern Tribune.
14. Tierney, Mitchell (May 16, 2024). "Young Canadian goalkeepers Kalongo of Forge FC, Pacific's Gazdov proving to be among the CPL's best to start 2024". Canadian Premier League .
15. "Forge FC's Chris Kalongo named Allstate CPL Goalkeeper of the Month for April". Canadian Premier League . May 3, 2024.
16. "Christopher Kalongo named CPL Goalkeeper of the Month for April". Forge FC . May 3, 2024.
17. "Forge FC Exercises 2025 Option on Goalkeeper Christopher Kalongo". Forge FC . January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
18. Jacques, John (January 3, 2025). "Forge Keeps Kalongo For Option Year". Northern Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
19. @safl_legion (December 2, 2024). "Ready to go" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
20. Jacques, John (December 3, 2024). "'It Would Be An Honour': Kalongo Hopeful To Represent South Africa". Northern Tribune.
21. Christopher Kalongo at Soccerway

External links

• Christopher Kalongo at Soccerway