{{short description|Footballer (born 1999)}} {{good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Alban Lafont | image = Alban Lafont (2018-04-21) 1.jpg | caption = Lafont with [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] in 2018 | full_name = Alban-Marc Lafont<ref name="FIFA-CAP">{{cite news|url=https://knowledge.fifa.com/change-of-association-platform|title=FIFA Change of Association Platform|website=knowledge.fifa.com|date=3 September 2025|accessdate=3 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legaseriea.it/uploads/default/attachments/comunicati/comunicati_m/7780/files/allegati/7844/cu59.pdf |title=Comunicato Ufficiale N. 59 |trans-title=Official Press Release No. 59 |publisher=Lega Serie A |page=4 |date=2 October 2018 |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921212814/http://www.legaseriea.it/uploads/default/attachments/comunicati/comunicati_m/7780/files/allegati/7844/cu59.pdf |archive-date=21 September 2022}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|1|23|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwyc/2017/pdf/fwyc_2017_squadlists.pdf |title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017: List of Players: France |publisher=FIFA |page=5 |date=11 June 2017 |access-date=3 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225174344/https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2017/pdf/FWYC_2017_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | birth_place = [[Ouagadougou]], Burkina Faso | height = 1.96 m<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcnantes.com/groupepro/20212022/fiche.php?numjoueur=313|title=Alban Lafont|publisher=[[FC Nantes]]|access-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130123203/https://www.fcnantes.com/groupepro/20212022/fiche.php?numjoueur=313|archive-date=30 November 2021 }}</ref> | position = [[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]] | currentclub = [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]]<br>(on loan from [[FC Nantes|Nantes]]) | clubnumber = 40 | youthyears1 = 2008–2014 | youthclubs1 = AS Lattoise | youthyears2 = 2014–2015 | youthclubs2 = [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] | years1 = 2015–2018 | clubs1 = [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] | caps1 = 98 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2018–2021 | clubs2 = [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] | caps2 = 34 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2019–2021 | clubs3 = → [[FC Nantes|Nantes]] (loan) | caps3 = 65 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2021– | clubs4 = [[FC Nantes|Nantes]] | caps4 = 115 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2025 | clubs5 = [[FC Nantes|Nantes B]] | caps5 = 6 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2025– | clubs6 = → [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]] (loan) | caps6 = 22 | goals6 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2015 | nationalteam1 = [[France national under-16 football team|France U16]] | nationalcaps1 = 5 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2015 | nationalteam2 = [[France national under-17 football team|France U17]] | nationalcaps2 = 2 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2016 | nationalteam3 = [[France national under-18 football team|France U18]] | nationalcaps3 = 4 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2017–2018 | nationalteam4 = [[France national under-19 football team|France U19]] | nationalcaps4 = 5 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalyears5 = 2017–2019 | nationalteam5 = [[France national under-20 football team|France U20]] | nationalcaps5 = 7 | nationalgoals5 = 0 | nationalyears6 = 2019–2021 | nationalteam6 = [[France national under-21 football team|France U21]] | nationalcaps6 = 13 | nationalgoals6 = 0 | nationalyears7 = 2025– | nationalteam7 = [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] | nationalcaps7 = 4 | nationalgoals7 = 0 | club-update = 19:00, 17 May 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 23:51, 31 March 2026 (UTC) }} '''Alban-Marc Lafont''' (born 23 January 1999) is a professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] for [[Super League Greece|Greek Super League]] club [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]], on loan from {{French football updater|Nantes}} club [[FC Nantes|Nantes]]. Born in Burkina Faso and raised in France, he plays for the [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast national team]].
Having progressed through the academy of AS Lattoise, Lafont signed for [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] in 2014 where he became the youngest goalkeeper ever to play in [[Ligue 1]] upon making his debut the following year. He went on to make over 100 appearances for the club across all competitions before joining Fiorentina in 2018. In 2019, he returned to France in a loan deal to Nantes; the deal was made permanent in 2021.
==Early life== Lafont was born in [[Ouagadougou]], the capital of Burkina Faso, to a French father and Burkinabé [[Dyula people|Dyula]] mother.<ref name="BFMTV">{{cite news|last=Jaquin|first=Alexandre (1 December 2015)|url=http://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/toulouse-cinq-choses-a-savoir-sur-le-prodige-alban-lafont-933400.html|title=Toulouse: cinq choses à savoir sur le prodige Alban Lafont|website=RMC Sport|access-date=7 December 2015|language=fr|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208144553/http://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/toulouse-cinq-choses-a-savoir-sur-le-prodige-alban-lafont-933400.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His parents separated when he was nine years old and Lafont moved to France to live with his father in [[Herault]]. His mother remained in Burkina Faso, where she later became a Member of Parliament for the [[People's Movement for Progress]] in the Burkina Faso National Assembly.<ref name=family>{{cite news|last=Raynaud|first=Claire (3 April 2016)|title=Les confidences de la mère d'Alban Lafont, députée du Burkina Faso|url=http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2016/03/04/2297425-confidences-mere-alban-lafont-deputee-burkina-faso.html|website=La Depeche|language=Fr|access-date=26 June 2016|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529133242/http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2016/03/04/2297425-confidences-mere-alban-lafont-deputee-burkina-faso.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=LJJD>{{cite news|url=http://www.lejdd.fr/Sport/Football/Alban-Lafont-17-ans-de-Ouagadougou-a-la-Ligue-1-824320|title=Alban Lafont, 17 ans, de Ouagadougou à la Ligue 1|website=Le Journal du Dimanche|last=Kallenbrunn|first=Phillipe|date=13 November 2016|access-date=5 December 2016|language=fr|archive-date=19 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219102051/http://www.lejdd.fr/Sport/Football/Alban-Lafont-17-ans-de-Ouagadougou-a-la-Ligue-1-824320|url-status=live}}</ref> Lafont comes from a sporting family. His maternal grandfather played football for ten years and later served as president of Ouagadougou Shooting Star while his mother was a member of the national handball team.<ref name=family /><ref name=LJJD/> His father also played tennis.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/toulouse/179/blog/post/2971209/toulouses-alban-lafont-is-ligue-1s-answer-to-gianluigi-donnarumma|website=ESPN|last=Yokhin|first=Michael|date=13 October 2016|access-date=17 October 2016|title=Toulouse's Alban Lafont is Ligue 1's answer to Gianluigi Donnarumma|archive-date=19 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019034856/http://www.espnfc.com/club/toulouse/179/blog/post/2971209/toulouses-alban-lafont-is-ligue-1s-answer-to-gianluigi-donnarumma|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Club career==
===Toulouse=== Lafont started his career at amateur side AS Lattoise where he initially began playing as an attacking midfielder, before converting to a goalkeeper.<ref>{{cite web|last=Steines|first=Geoffrey (15 January 2016)|url=http://www.football365.fr/alban-lafont-ce-gamin-qui-nen-est-pas-un-2144063.html|title=Alban Lafont, ce Gamin qui n'en est pas un|language=fr|website=Football365|access-date=26 June 2016|archive-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220033427/http://www.football365.fr/alban-lafont-ce-gamin-qui-nen-est-pas-un-2144063.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He spent six years with Lattoise before signing with Ligue 1 side [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://backofthenetfootball.com/2017/04/08/alban-lafont-meet-the-sensational-shot-stopper-lighting-up-ligue-1/|title=Alban Lafont: Meet the sensational shot stopper lighting up Ligue 1|website=Back of the Net Football|last=May|first=Sam|date=8 April 2017|access-date=4 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220092305/https://backofthenetfootball.com/2017/04/08/alban-lafont-meet-the-sensational-shot-stopper-lighting-up-ligue-1/|archive-date=20 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====2015–16 season==== Lafont spent little more than a year in the academy at Toulouse before club [[Manager (association football)|manager]] [[Dominique Arribagé]] handed him his [[Ligue 1]] debut on 28 November 2015 against [[OGC Nice]].<ref name="soccerway2">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/11/28/france/ligue-1/toulouse-fc/olympique-gymnaste-club-de-nice-cote-dazur/2046059/|title=Toulouse vs. Nice – 28 November 2015 – Soccerway|website=Soccerway|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-date=29 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129101017/http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/11/28/france/ligue-1/toulouse-fc/olympique-gymnaste-club-de-nice-cote-dazur/2046059/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://outsideoftheboot.com/2016/12/26/100-best-young-players-2017-1-goalkeepers/|title=100 Best Young Players to Watch in 2017 Part 1 – Goalkeepers|website=Outside of the Boot|last=Bekker|first=Liam|date=26 December 2016|access-date=26 February 2017|archive-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220033523/http://outsideoftheboot.com/2016/12/26/100-best-young-players-2017-1-goalkeepers/|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon doing so, he became the youngest ever goalkeeper to play in Ligue 1 at the age of 16 years and 310 days, surpassing the record previously held by [[Mickaël Landreau]].<ref name="UEFA">{{cite web|last=Bayol|first=Marie-Océane (5 December 2015)|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2312950.html|title=UEFA.com's weekly wonderkid: Alban Lafont|website=[[UEFA]]|access-date=7 December 2015|archive-date=13 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213130201/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2312950.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Having replaced [[Ali Ahamada]] and [[Mauro Goicoechea]] as Toulouse's starting goalkeeper, Lafont kept [[Shutout|clean sheets]] in his first two competitive fixtures before finally conceding in a 3–2 loss against [[FC Lorient|Lorient]] on 5 December 2015. In January 2016, Lafont was named as the 34th best U-20 player in the world by Italian publication ''[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]]'' and featured as one of only two goalkeepers on the list alongside [[AC Milan]]'s [[Gianluigi Donnarumma]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/dele-alli-ranked-no8-list-7263669|last=Flanagan|first=Aaron (28 January 2016)|title=Dele Alli ranked No.8 on a list of the world's best under-20 stars – but who ranks above him?|website=Daily Mirror|access-date=24 October 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025213249/http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/dele-alli-ranked-no8-list-7263669|url-status=live}}</ref> Having been 10 points adrift of safety at the time of Lafont's introduction into the first team, Toulouse managed to avoid [[Promotion and relegation|relegation]] on the final day of the season, thanks in part to the eight clean sheets he kept in his 24 appearances for the campaign.<ref>{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Andrew (14 May 2016)|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/toulouse-pull-off-great-escape.htm|title=Toulouse Pull off Great Escape|website=Ligue 1|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=18 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518045841/http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/toulouse-pull-off-great-escape.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He was rewarded for his form on 30 June 2016 when he signed a new contract with Toulouse, extending his stay with the club until 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Alban-lafont-et-issa-diop-signent-pros-au-tfc/701060|title=Alban Lafont et Issa Diop signent pros au TFC|website=L'Equip|date=30 June 2016|access-date=13 July 2016|language=fr|archive-date=3 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703011700/http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Alban-lafont-et-issa-diop-signent-pros-au-tfc/701060|url-status=live}}</ref>
====2016–17 season==== [[File:Alban Lafont - entrainement - 9 mai 2018 1.jpg|thumb|upright|Lafont became the youngest goalkeeper to play in [[Ligue 1]] upon making his debut for [[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] in 2015.]] Lafont retained the number one spot for Toulouse in the following season and started the campaign by keeping a clean sheet against [[Olympique de Marseille|Marseille]] on the opening weekend.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/frustration-for-gomis-and-om.htm|title=Frustration for Gomis and OM|website=Ligue 1|date=14 August 2016|access-date=15 August 2016|archive-date=15 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815161216/http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/frustration-for-gomis-and-om.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> On 22 October he was named as the [[man of the match]] for his performance in Toulouse's 0–0 draw with [[Angers SCO|Angers]], with his form in goal earning him his fourth clean sheet in only his tenth league appearance for the campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/lafont-keeps-angers-at-bay.htm|title=Lafont Keeps Angers at Bay|website=Ligue 1|date=22 October 2016|access-date=24 October 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025045017/http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/lafont-keeps-angers-at-bay.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Lafont's previous three clean sheets had come against esteemed opposition in the form of Marseille, [[AS Saint-Étienne|Saint-Étienne]] and defending champions, [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/news/2016/10/13/transfer-rumour-arsenal-fc-to-rival-juventus-and-porto-for-17-year-old-french-goalkeeping-prodigy-alban-lafont/|last=Bajaj|first=Abhisek (13 October 2016)|title=Transfer Rumour: Arsenal FC to Rival Juventus and Porto for 17-year old French Goalkeeping Prodigy Alban LAfont|website=The Hard Tackle|access-date=24 October 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025054705/http://www.thehardtackle.com/news/2016/10/13/transfer-rumour-arsenal-fc-to-rival-juventus-and-porto-for-17-year-old-french-goalkeeping-prodigy-alban-lafont/|url-status=live}}</ref> Four days later, Lafont made his [[Coupe de la Ligue]] debut and kept another clean sheet in a 1–0 win over [[Ligue 2]] side [[AJ Auxerre|Auxerre]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/testing-toulouse-trip-for-troubled-ol.htm|title=Testing Toulouse Trip for Troubled OL|first=D|last=Crossan|website=Ligue 1|date=28 October 2016|access-date=4 November 2016|archive-date=4 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104204704/http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/article/testing-toulouse-trip-for-troubled-ol.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He then made his first ever appearance in the [[Coupe de France]] on 8 January 2017, starting in a 2–1 [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|extra-time]] defeat to Marseille.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ligue1.com/autresCompetitions/article/marseille-through-in-extra-time.htm|title=Marseille Through in Extra-Time|website=Ligue 1|last=Scott|first=Andrew|date=8 January 2017|access-date=8 January 2017}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The following month, he became the youngest goalkeeper in 30 years to reach 50 Ligue 1 appearances, achieving the milestone in a 0–0 draw with PSG.<ref name=record2>{{cite web|url=http://www.squawka.com/news/toulouse-starlet-becomes-youngest-goalkeeper-to-make-50-ligue-1-appearance-for-three-decades/905981#9WzWT3kX3bvCXP7e.97|title=Toulouse starlet becomes youngest goalie to hit 50 Ligue 1 appearances for three decades|website=Squawka|last=Watson|first=Jack|date=20 February 2017|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-date=16 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416223146/http://www.squawka.com/news/toulouse-starlet-becomes-youngest-goalkeeper-to-make-50-ligue-1-appearance-for-three-decades/905981#9WzWT3kX3bvCXP7e.97|url-status=live}}</ref> He ended the campaign with 38 appearances to his name across all competitions, and having kept 11 clean sheets, as Toulouse ended the Ligue 1 season in 13th position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.squawka.com/players/alban-lafont/stats#performance-score#toulouse-(current)#french-ligue-1#24#season-2016/2017#629#all-matches#1-38#by-match|title=Lafont-Football Statistics-Form Guide|website=Squawka|access-date=22 June 2017|archive-date=25 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725035015/http://www.squawka.com/players/alban-lafont/stats#performance-score|url-status=live}}</ref>
====2017–18 season==== In February 2018, having continued to impress in goal for Toulouse, Lafont was named by the ''CIES Football Observatory'' as the world's second-most promising footballer under the age of 20. Gianluigi Donnarumma was the only player rated higher than him while countryman and [[Golden Boy (award)|Golden Boy]] winner [[Kylian Mbappé]] was ranked third.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2018/02/19/alban-lafont-ce-francais-qui-devance-mbappe-au-classement-des-footballeurs-les-plus-prometteurs_a_23365206/|title=Alban Lafont, ce Français qui devance Mbappé au classement des footballeurs les plus prometteurs|website=Huffington Post|last=Margueritte|first=Henri|date=19 February 2018|access-date=21 February 2018|language=fr|archive-date=21 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221162120/http://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2018/02/19/alban-lafont-ce-francais-qui-devance-mbappe-au-classement-des-footballeurs-les-plus-prometteurs_a_23365206/|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his 100th appearance for the club on 29 April 2018, starting in a 2–1 league defeat to [[Stade Rennais F.C.|Rennes]]. He kept 12 clean sheets for the season and featured in Toulouse's play-off victory over [[AC Ajaccio|Ajaccio]] to help the club avoid relegation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/liverpool-goalkeeper-targets-donnarumma-alisson-10-options/1paxprt9mkerl16ff4t97lr5lz#mcx6t2tjglkx10auutpyi8chd|title=Liverpool goalkeeper targets: Donnarumma, Alisson & 10 options who can replace calamitous Karius|publisher=Goal|last=Burton|first=Chris|date=30 May 2018|access-date=30 May 2018|archive-date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531191840/http://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/liverpool-goalkeeper-targets-donnarumma-alisson-10-options/1paxprt9mkerl16ff4t97lr5lz#mcx6t2tjglkx10auutpyi8chd|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Fiorentina=== On 2 July 2018, Lafont signed a five-year deal with Italian side [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] for a reported fee €7 million plus bonuses.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Alban-lafont-signe-a-la-fiorentina-jusqu-en-2023-officiel/918254|title=Alban Lafont signe à la Fiorentina jusqu'en 2023 (officiel)|publisher=[[L'Équipe]]|date=2 July 2018|access-date=2 July 2018|language=fr|archive-date=2 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702204850/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Alban-lafont-signe-a-la-fiorentina-jusqu-en-2023-officiel/918254|url-status=live}}</ref> His debut followed on 26 August when he started in a 6–1 win over [[A.C. ChievoVerona|ChievoVerona]] on the day of Fiorentina's 92nd anniversary.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lapresse.it/serie-a-fiorentina-dilaga-all-esordio-chievo-travolto-6-1.html|title=Serie A, Fiorentina dilaga all'esordio: Chievo travolto 6-1|publisher=LaPresse|date=26 August 2018|access-date=27 August 2018|language=it|archive-date=27 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827142309/http://www.lapresse.it/serie-a-fiorentina-dilaga-all-esordio-chievo-travolto-6-1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://eurofantasyleague.com/news/2018/08/26/birthday-boys-fiorentina-go-for-the-win/#.W4Onvc4zbIU|title=Birthday Boys Fiorentina Go For The Win|publisher=Euro Fantasy League|last=Beresford|first=Chloe|date=26 August 2018|access-date=27 August 2018|archive-date=27 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827142426/https://eurofantasyleague.com/news/2018/08/26/birthday-boys-fiorentina-go-for-the-win/#.W4Onvc4zbIU|url-status=live}}</ref> He ultimately made 38 appearances for the season but the campaign was one of indifference, with Lafont's impressive repertoire of saves matched by a string of high-profile errors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-transfer-rumors-news-reports/2019/6/29/20011988/fiorentina-alban-lafont-nantes-official-transfer-loan-terms-bartlomiej-dragowski-mattia-perin-buy|title=OFFICIAL: Lafont loaned to Nantes|publisher=Viola Nation|date=29 June 2019|access-date=3 July 2019|archive-date=1 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701015254/https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-transfer-rumors-news-reports/2019/6/29/20011988/fiorentina-alban-lafont-nantes-official-transfer-loan-terms-bartlomiej-dragowski-mattia-perin-buy|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Nantes=== On 29 June 2019, having lost his place to [[Bartłomiej Drągowski]], Lafont returned to France where he joined [[FC Nantes|Nantes]] on a two-season-long [[Loan (sports)|loan]] as a replacement for the departing [[Ciprian Tătărușanu]]. Nantes also secured an option to sign Lafont permanently for a €7 million transfer fee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/ufficiale-fiorentina-lafont-ceduto-in-prestito-biennale-al-nantes-1263409|access-date=29 June 2019|title=UFFICIALE: Fiorentina, Lafont ceduto in prestito biennale al Nantes|language=it|archive-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629155536/https://m.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/ufficiale-fiorentina-lafont-ceduto-in-prestito-biennale-al-nantes-1263409|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transferts-alban-lafont-fiorentina-prete-deux-ans-a-nantes-officiel/1035050|title=Transferts : Alban Lafont (Fiorentina) prêté deux ans à Nantes (officiel)|publisher=Le Equipe|language=fr|date=29 June 2019|access-date=29 June 2019|archive-date=29 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629165844/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transfert=s-alban-lafont-fiorentina-prete-deux-ans-a-nantes-officiel/1035050|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 26 May 2021, Nantes made Lafont's deal a permanent one, triggering his €7 million option to buy clause.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Monegier|first=Tom|date=29 April 2021|title=Le FC Nantes recrute définitivement Alban Lafont|url=https://www.footmercato.net/a6505746748381182852-le-fc-nantes-recrute-definitivement-alban-lafont#:~:text=Pr%C3%AAt%C3%A9%20pour%20deux%20saisons%20par,va%20rester%20en%20Loire%2DAtlantique.|access-date=8 June 2021|website=Foot Mercato|language=fr}}</ref>
==International career== ===France=== Lafont has represented [[France national football team|France]] at various youth levels. He made six appearances for the [[France national under-16 football team|France U16]] team and captained the side on three occasions.<ref name="UEFA" /> He then made his debut for [[France national under-17 football team|France U17]] on 20 October 2015 against [[Northern Ireland national under-17 football team|Northern Ireland]], keeping a clean sheet in the process. Lafont was, however, not selected for France's 2016 [[UEFA European Under-17 Championship|European Under-17 Championship]] squad after Toulouse lobbied for him to remain with the club for their last two games of the [[2015–16 Ligue 1|season]] to aid their relegation battle.<ref name="kameraadjes">{{cite news|last=Stival|first=Nicolas (3 May 2016)|title=Ligue 1: Pressenti en Azerbaïdjan, Alban Lafont finira la saison avec le TFC|url=http://www.20minutes.fr/toulouse/1837563-20160503-ligue-1-pressenti-azerbaidjan-alban-lafont-finira-saison-tfc|website=20 Minutes|language=Fr|access-date=9 May 2016|archive-date=4 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504115141/http://www.20minutes.fr/toulouse/1837563-20160503-ligue-1-pressenti-azerbaidjan-alban-lafont-finira-saison-tfc|url-status=live}}</ref>
In September 2016, Lafont was named in the 20-man [[France national under-18 football team|France U18]] squad by manager [[Bernard Diomède]] for the 2016 Limoges Tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/fr/news/6842/espoirs-du-foot/2016/09/28/27976372/%C3%A9quipe-de-france-alban-lafont-et-malang-sarr-avec-les-u18|title=Équipe de France, Alban Lafont et Malang Sarr avec les U18 pour le Tournoi de Limoges|website=Goal|date=28 September 2016|access-date=30 September 2016|language=fr|archive-date=13 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013014639/http://www.goal.com/fr/news/6842/espoirs-du-foot/2016/09/28/27976372/%C3%A9quipe-de-france-alban-lafont-et-malang-sarr-avec-les-u18|url-status=live}}</ref> He was an ever-present as France ended the tournament on top of the standings having won 2 out of their 3 matches and drawn the other.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jslafarge.com/welcome.htm|title=Lafarge Foot Avenir 2016|website=Jeunesse Sportive Lafarge Limoges|date=9 October 2016|access-date=19 October 2016|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105214414/http://www.jslafarge.com/welcome.htm|archive-date=5 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was promoted to the [[France national under-20 football team|U20 side]] the following year and made his debut against [[England national under-20 football team|England]] on 25 March.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Alban-lafont-sur-sa-premiere-convocation-en-u20-il-n-y-a-pas-de-gene-a-avoir/788082|title=Alban Lafont sur sa première convocation en U20 : "Il n'y a pas de gêne à avoir"|website=L'Equipe|last=Trésarrieu|first=Flavien|date=25 March 2017|access-date=25 March 2017|archive-date=26 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326051845/http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Alban-lafont-sur-sa-premiere-convocation-en-u20-il-n-y-a-pas-de-gene-a-avoir/788082|url-status=live}}{{in lang|fr}}</ref> In May the same year, he was named in the France squad for the [[2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup]] in South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kwese.espn.com/football/france/story/3122474/kylian-mbappe-not-included-in-france-under-20-world-cup-squad|title=Kylian Mbappe not included in France's Under-20 World Cup squad|website=ESPN|last=Holyman|first=Ian|date=9 May 2017|access-date=10 May 2017|archive-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110054738/http://kwese.espn.com/football/france/story/3122474/kylian-mbappe-not-included-in-france-under-20-world-cup-squad|url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the tournament, he alternated with [[Paul Bernardoni]] as France's starting 'keeper before the nation was eliminated by [[Italy national under-21 football team|Italy]] in the Round of 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=275958/match=300367042/index.html|title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017|date=1 June 2017|access-date=4 July 2017|website=FIFA|archive-date=31 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531060625/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=275958/match=300367042/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 19 September 2022, Lafont received his first [[France national football team|France national team]] call-up for two [[UEFA Nations League]] matches, replacing the injured [[Hugo Lloris]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 September 2022 |title=Alban Lafont and Lucas Digne called up for France as Hugo Lloris and Théo Hernandez pull out |url=https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2022/alban-lafont-and-lucas-digne-called-up-for-france-as-hugo-lloris-and-theo-hernandez-pull-out/ |access-date=20 September 2022 |website=Get French Football News}}</ref>
===Ivory Coast=== Eligible to represent the [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast national team]] through his maternal grandfather who was an Ivorian citizen, Lafont was called up to the national team in August 2025.<ref>https://www.sport-ivoire.ci/football-elephants/alban-lafont-origines-lointaines-et-nouvelle-passerelle-entre-la-c%C3%B4te-d%E2%80%99ivoire-et</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Alban Lafont, origines lointaines et nouvelle passerelle entre la Côte d'Ivoire et le Burkina Faso |url=https://www.sport-ivoire.ci/football-elephants/alban-lafont-origines-lointaines-et-nouvelle-passerelle-entre-la-c%C3%B4te-d%E2%80%99ivoire-et |website=Sport-Ivoire.ci |language=fr|access-date=28 August 2025}}</ref>
On 3 September 2025, Lafont's request to change sports citizenship from French to Ivorian was approved by [[FIFA]].<!--therefore, he also holds Ivorian citizenship as a person--><ref name="FIFA-CAP"/>
On 9 December, Lafont was included in the Ivory Coast's 26-man squad for the [[2025 Africa Cup of Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Title holders Cote d'Ivoire name 26-man TotalEnergies CAF AFCON squad as Zaha returns and Adingra misses out|url=https://www.cafonline.com/afcon2025/news/title-holders-cote-d-ivoire-name-26-man-totalenergies-caf-afcon-squad-as-zaha-returns-and-adingra-misses-out/|website=CAFOnline.com|date=9 December 2025|access-date=9 December 2025}}</ref>
==Personal life== In January 2016, relatives of Lafont were among the 30 people killed in the [[2016 Ouagadougou attacks|Ouagadougou attacks]] when a group of gunmen opened fire in a ''Cappuccino'' restaurant.<ref name=family />
On 25 September 2016, Lafont became the youngest ever footballer to be invited as a guest on French football programme [[Téléfoot]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2016/10/19/2442517-alban-lafont-gardien-monde-entier-envie-tfc.html|website=LaDepeche|title=Alban Lafont, le gardien que le monde entier envie au TFC|date=19 October 2016|access-date=9 November 2016|language=fr|archive-date=10 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110105904/http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2016/10/19/2442517-alban-lafont-gardien-monde-entier-envie-tfc.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tf1.fr/tf1/telefoot/videos/telefoot-25-09-alban-lafont-l-equipe-de-france-c-un-objectif.html|website=Téléfoot|title=Alban Lafont : "L'Equipe de France, c'est un objectif" Pour sa première télévis|date=25 September 2016|access-date=9 November 2016|language=fr|archive-date=10 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110044432/http://www.tf1.fr/tf1/telefoot/videos/telefoot-25-09-alban-lafont-l-equipe-de-france-c-un-objectif.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 17 May 2026}}<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/alban-lafont/426518/ |title=A. Lafont: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=3 June 2019 |archive-date=3 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603162844/https://uk.soccerway.com/players/alban-lafont/426518/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Coupe de France]], [[Coppa Italia]], [[Greek Football Cup]]}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Coupe de la Ligue]]}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="4"|[[Toulouse FC|Toulouse]] |[[2015–16 Toulouse FC season|2015–16]] |[[Ligue 1]] |24||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||24||0 |- |[[2016–17 Toulouse FC season|2016–17]] |Ligue 1 |36||0||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||38||0 |- |[[2017–18 Toulouse FC season|2017–18]] |Ligue 1 |38||0||1||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=LPO|Appearances in [[Ligue 1 relegation/promotion play-offs|Ligue 1 relegation play-offs]]}}||0||44||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !98!!0!!2!!0!!4!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0!!106!!0 |- |[[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] |[[2018–19 ACF Fiorentina season|2018–19]] |[[Serie A]] |34||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||38||0 |- |rowspan="3"|[[FC Nantes|Nantes]] <small>(loan)</small> |[[2019–20 FC Nantes season|2019–20]] |Ligue 1 |27||0||2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||29||0 |- |[[2020–21 FC Nantes season|2020–21]] |Ligue 1 |38||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=LPO}}||0||40||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !65!!0!!2!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!2!!0!!69!!0 |- |rowspan="5"|Nantes |[[2021–22 FC Nantes season|2021–22]] |Ligue 1 |38||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||39||0 |- |[[2022–23 FC Nantes season|2022–23]] |Ligue 1 |37||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||8{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Trophée des Champions]]}}||0||48||0 |- |[[2023–24 FC Nantes season|2023–24]] |Ligue 1 |28||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||30||0 |- |[[2024–25 FC Nantes season|2024–25]] |Ligue 1 |12||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !115!!0!!5!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!8!!0!!1!!0!!129!!0 |- |[[FC Nantes|Nantes B]] |[[2024–25 Championnat National 3|2024–25]] |[[Championnat National 3|National 3]] |6||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||6||0 |- |[[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]] <small>(loan)</small> |[[2025–26 Panathinaikos F.C. season|2025–26]] |[[Super League Greece]] |22||0||5||0||colspan="2"|—||10{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||32||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !340!!0!!18!!0!!4!!0!!18!!0!!5!!0!!381!!0 |}
{{notelist}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 31 March 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="2"|[[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] |2025||3||0 |- |2026||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!4!!0 |}
==Honours== '''Nantes''' *[[Coupe de France]]: [[2021–22 Coupe de France|2021–22]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fff.fr/competition/match/24469113-o-g-c-nice-cote-d-azur-f-c-nantes.html |title=COUPE DE FRANCE 2021 - 2022 - FINALE |publisher=fff.fr |access-date=9 May 2022}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [https://www.fcnantes.com/groupepro/20242025/fiche.php?numjoueur=313 Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818164846/https://www.fcnantes.com/groupepro/20242025/fiche.php?numjoueur=313 |date=18 August 2024 }} at the FC Nantes website * {{FFF player}} * {{UEFA player}}
{{Panathinaikos F.C. squad}} <!--{{FC Nantes squad}}--> {{Navboxes | title = Ivory Coast squads | bg = #F77F00 | fg = white | bordercolor = #009E60 | list = {{Ivory Coast squad 2025 Africa Cup of Nations}} {{Ivory Coast squad 2026 FIFA World Cup}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lafont, Alban}} [[Category:1999 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Footballers from Ouagadougou]] [[Category:Ivorian men's footballers]] [[Category:Ivory Coast men's international footballers]] [[Category:French men's footballers]] [[Category:France men's under-21 international footballers]] [[Category:France men's youth international footballers]] [[Category:Burkinabe men's footballers]] [[Category:Ivorian people of French descent]] [[Category:Ivorian people of Burkinabe descent]] [[Category:French sportspeople of Burkinabe descent]] [[Category:French sportspeople of Ivorian descent]] [[Category:Burkinabe people of French descent]] [[Category:Burkinabe people of Ivorian descent]] [[Category:Sportspeople of Ivorian descent]] [[Category:Sportspeople of Burkinabe descent]] [[Category:Sportspeople of French descent]] [[Category:Men's association football goalkeepers]] [[Category:Toulouse FC players]] [[Category:ACF Fiorentina players]] [[Category:FC Nantes players]] [[Category:Panathinaikos F.C. players]] [[Category:Ligue 1 players]] [[Category:Serie A players]] [[Category:Super League Greece players]] [[Category:Ivorian expatriate men's footballers]] [[Category:French expatriate men's footballers]] [[Category:Burkinabe expatriate men's footballers]] [[Category:Ivorian expatriate sportspeople in Italy]] [[Category:Ivorian expatriate sportspeople in Greece]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece]] [[Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Italy]] [[Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Greece]] [[Category:Black French sportspeople]] [[Category:21st-century Ivorian sportsmen]] [[Category:21st-century Burkinabe sportsmen]] [[Category:21st-century French sportsmen]] [[Category:2025 Africa Cup of Nations players]] [[Category:2026 FIFA World Cup players]]