Joachim Kayi Sanda


Joachim Kayi Sanda is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Southampton.

Club career

Valenciennes

From Antony, Hauts-de-Seine, in September 2023 he signed a three-year professional contract with Valenciennes FC.
He made his debut for the Valenciennes first team in Ligue 2 on 21 October 2023, starting against Grenoble Foot 38. In doing so, aged 16 years-old and ten months, he became the youngest player in club history.

Southampton

On 9 January 2025, he joined Premier League club Southampton on a four-year contract. He made his debut for the club on 18 May in a 2–0 defeat against Everton after he replaced Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the 82nd minute.
On 25 August 2025, Kayi Sanda joined French side Red Star on a season-long loan. He was recalled from loan and returned to Southampton on 1 January 2026.

International career

Born in France, Kayi Sanda is of DR Congolese descent. He captained France U17 to the finals of the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where France reached the final after making the quarter-finals without conceding a goal.

Honours

U17 France