Allan Saint-Maximin: Career, Stats, and Controversial Departures
Few footballers move from the Premier League to the Saudi Pro League to Liga MX and back to Ligue 1 within two years. Allan Saint-Maximin, the French winger known for his dazzling footwork and speed, is an exception. This article traces his winding journey, the racism allegations that ended his time with Club América, and what comes next at Lens.
Current club: Lens ·
Age: 29 (born 12 March 1997) ·
Nationality: French ·
Newcastle goals: 12 ·
Newcastle assists: 18
Quick snapshot
- Plays for Lens (Ligue 1) (ESPN)
- Age: 29 (Premier League official stats)
- Position: Left winger (The Independent)
- 111 appearances for Newcastle (ESPN)
- 12 Premier League goals (Premier League official stats)
- Joined Club América in 2024, left in 2025 (ESPN)
- Signed for Lens as free agent (Feb 2025) (ESPN)
- Joined Club América in summer 2024 (ESPN)
- Departed July 2023 from Newcastle (ESPN)
Saint-Maximin’s case is a rare public rupture over racism in Liga MX — a league where discrimination complaints rarely end with a player terminating his contract. His departure forced Club América to issue an anti-racism statement, but no public sanction against any individual followed.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Allan Irénée Saint-Maximin |
| Date of birth | (age 29) |
| Place of birth | Châtenay-Malabry, France |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Current club | Lens |
| Newcastle goals/assists | 12 goals, 18 assists (111 appearances) |
Why did Allan Saint-Maximin leave?
Why did he leave Newcastle United?
- Left Newcastle in 2023 to join Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) for a reported transfer fee, driven by the club’s new financial reality under Saudi ownership and a project that no longer guaranteed him star minutes (GOAL).
Why did he leave Club América after racism allegations?
- Saint-Maximin left Club América by mutual consent after alleging racist abuse targeting his children (The Independent).
- The club confirmed the departure shortly after a 0-0 draw with Necaxa, where players displayed a banner reading “No to racism” in solidarity (GOAL).
- Reports indicate internal conflicts with Club América coach André Jardine also contributed to his departure (GOAL).
Why is Allan Saint-Maximin not playing?
Was he injured at Club América?
- Saint-Maximin missed several matches for Club América before his departure, though no official injury was cited (The Independent).
Did the racism allegations lead to him being benched?
- Reports indicate tension with fans and management following the racism incident, which likely affected his inclusion in the squad (GOAL).
- He has since joined Lens in Ligue 1 and is playing regularly (ESPN).
Lens signed Saint-Maximin as a free agent on transfer deadline day — a low-risk gamble for a club that needed pace on the wing. But his short tenure at Club América (just 16 appearances) became a liability: no club wanted to inherit the unresolved racism dispute or the locker-room friction with Jardine.
How much does Saint-Maximin make a year?
What was his salary at Newcastle?
- At Newcastle, Saint-Maximin earned approximately £68,000 per week (Spotrac).
What is his current salary at Lens?
- Current Lens salary not publicly disclosed, but estimated lower than his Saudi deal (ESPN).
How many goals did Allan Saint-Maximin score for Newcastle?
What are his total Premier League goals and assists?
- 12 goals and 18 assists in 111 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions (Premier League official stats).
- His best scoring season was 2020–2021 with 3 goals.
- He scored 2 goals in 1 season for Nice before joining Newcastle.
Six seasons of senior football, one pattern: Saint-Maximin’s output never matched his promise. For a player with his dribbling ability, 12 Premier League goals in three and a half seasons is modest — but his 18 assists reveal a creator who made the players around him better.
How old is Allan Saint-Maximin?
What is his date of birth?
- Born 12 March 1997 in Châtenay-Malabry, France (Premier League official stats).
What is his nationality and height?
- French nationality.
- Height 5’8″ (173 cm), weight 148 lbs (67 kg).
- Married to a woman whose name remains private; has children.
Timeline: Allan Saint-Maximin’s career journey
| Date / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Born in Châtenay-Malabry, France | |
| 2015–2017 | Senior career at Saint-Étienne |
| 2017–2019 | Moved to Nice, made 75 appearances |
| 2019–2023 | Signed for Newcastle United (111 appearances, 12 goals) |
| 2023–2024 | Transferred to Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia |
| 2024–2025 | Joined Club América; left in 2025 after racism allegations |
| 2025–present | Signed with Lens (Ligue 1) |
What’s confirmed vs unclear
Confirmed facts
- Saint-Maximin left Club América after reporting acts of racism (club statement) (The Independent)
- He played for Newcastle from 2019 to 2023, scoring 12 goals (Premier League official stats)
- He joined Lens in 2025 as a free agent (ESPN)
- Date of birth: 12 March 1997
- He made 16 appearances for Club América, scoring 3 goals (ESPN)
What’s unclear
- Exact salary figures – no official confirmation from clubs
- Whether the racism allegations involved specific fans or teammates
- Personal details about his wife and children (not publicly confirmed)
- Precise nature of internal conflicts with coach André Jardine
Key statements
“The problem is not the colour of your skin, it’s the colour of your thoughts.”
— Allan Saint-Maximin, via Instagram, on the racist attacks targeting his family (ESPN)
Club América issued a statement expressing solidarity and condemning discrimination, confirming Saint-Maximin’s departure “by mutual consent.”
— Club América official statement (The Independent)
Lens condemned racist comments under Saint-Maximin’s signing announcement video and closed the comments section.
— Lens club statement (ESPN)
For Saint-Maximin, the decision to leave Mexico and join Lens is more than a career move — it’s a statement about dignity over money. For Liga MX, the unanswered question is whether one player’s exit will prompt real institutional change, or whether it becomes a footnote in a league that has long struggled with discrimination.
His controversial departures are explored in detail at His controversial departures, shedding light on the reasons behind his moves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Allan Saint-Maximin injured?
No — he left Club América due to racism allegations, not injury. He is now playing for Lens.
What is Allan Saint-Maximin’s height and weight?
He is 5’8″ (173 cm) and 148 lbs (67 kg).
Does Allan Saint-Maximin have children?
Yes — he has children, but their details are not publicly confirmed.
What position did Allan Saint-Maximin play at Newcastle?
Left winger — his primary position throughout his career.
How many assists did Allan Saint-Maximin have at Newcastle?
18 assists in 111 appearances across all competitions.
What is Allan Saint-Maximin’s Instagram handle?
His official Instagram handle is @asaintmaximin.
Why did Allan Saint-Maximin choose number 10?
He has worn the number 10 shirt at several clubs, including Newcastle — a choice reflecting his status as a creative playmaker.
Has Allan Saint-Maximin ever played for the French national team?
No — he has never been capped at senior level for France, despite representing the youth teams.
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