10The quick read
Player story
01 · Background
From Ottawa parks to Europe’s biggest leagues
David was born in Brooklyn to Haitian parents, spent his earliest years in Port-au-Prince and moved to Ottawa at six. He started organised soccer with Gloucester Dragons before joining Ottawa Gloucester Hornets. Rather than enter an MLS academy, he went to Belgium with Gent, then built a title-winning and record-breaking spell at Lille. Juventus signed him in 2025, and Atlético de Madrid brought him to Spain on loan in 2026.
02 · How he plays
A modern forward, not a fixed target
David’s game is built on movement, timing and economy. He can lead the line, work off another striker or drop into the space between midfield and defence. Juventus described him as a modern centre-forward whose work is important to the team’s structure, not only a scorer. He checks toward the ball to combine, spins into the space behind and arrives in the box rather than waiting there. His finishing reputation comes from composure and positioning more than constant power.
03 · Canada role
The reference point in the middle
David became CANMNT’s all-time leading scorer in 2024. With fast runners around him, he can connect the first pass and then reappear at the end of the move. He is especially valuable when Canada needs a forward who can press, combine in tight areas and still make the decisive penalty-box action.
Research and further reading
The club journey
- Gent
- Lille
- Juventus
- Atlético de Madrid (loan)
