*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 April 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:01, 7 June 2022 (UTC)
Franco Daryl Tongya Heubang (born 13 March 2002) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Serie B club Salernitana.
Club career
Early career
Born in Turin, Italy, to Cameroonian parents,[2] Tongya began his youth career at Brandizzo when he was about four years old,[3] before moving to Juventus' youth sector in 2009 aged seven.[3] In 2016–17 he captained the under-15 side, helping them win the league title.[3]
Tongya made his Serie C debut for Juventus U23 – the reserve team of Juventus – on 28 September 2020,[4] in a 2–1 win over Pro Sesto.[5] He played 10 league games in the first half of the 2020–21 season.[4]
Marseille
On 28 January 2021, Tongya joined Ligue 1 Marseille in a deal worth €8 million, with Marley Aké moving to Juventus for the same fee.[6] He made his debut for the reserve team in the Championnat National 2 on 27 February, as a starter in a 0–0 draw against Rumilly-Vallières.[7]
Odense Boldklub
On 30 August 2022, Tongya joined Danish side OB on a permanent deal, signing a three-year contract with the club.[8] He subsequently made his debut in the Danish Superliga on 4 September, starting the match against Viborg, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for his team.[9]
On 21 October, Tongya scored his first goal with the club, as well as his first professional goal, in a 3–1 league win against Lyngby.[10][11] On 10 March 2023, he scored with a bicycle kick in a 2-1 league win over Aalborg: thanks to this achievement, he eventually received the "Goal of the Month" prize by the Superligaen.[12][13]
Loan to AEK Larnaca
On 2 September 2023, Tongya joined Cypriot First Division side AEK Larnaca on a season-long loan.[14] After finishing his loan spell, Tongya returned to Odense.[15]
Salernitana
On 13 July 2024, Tongya returned to Italy after signing with newly-relegated Serie B club Salernitana.[16]
On 24 August 2024, Tongya made his Salernitana debut in a 3-2 Serie B defeat to Sudtirol.
Tongya also took part at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil; he played as a starter in all five games and scored a goal in the group stage against the Solomon Islands.[2] Italy were knocked out by hosts Brazil in the quarter-finals.[2]