Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Bio
Jean-Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, commonly known as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls. Born in Hamburg, West Germany, on 23 March 1989, he represents the Cameroon national team internationally. Standing 1.91 meters tall, Choupo-Moting has built a long and varied career across the Bundesliga, the Premier League, Ligue 1, and now Major League Soccer. He is widely regarded as a versatile forward with strong dribbling and a composed finishing touch.
Throughout his career, Choupo-Moting has played for several of Europe’s top clubs, including Hamburger SV, FC Nürnberg, Mainz 05, Schalke 04, Stoke City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich. He has also featured in major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. His journey from the youth ranks in Hamburg to global football reflects steady development and a willingness to adapt at every level.
Early Life and Background
Jean-Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was born in the Altona district of Hamburg, West Germany, on 23 March 1989. He was raised in a mixed-heritage household, with a German mother and a Cameroonian father. Growing up in Hamburg gave him early access to organized football, and he joined local youth clubs to develop his game.
Choupo-Moting attended Gymnasium Altona, balancing his schooling with a demanding youth football schedule. He played in the youth setups of Teutonia 05, Altona 93, and FC St. Pauli before joining the Hamburger SV academy in 2004. These formative years across several Hamburg clubs helped shape his tactical awareness and physical conditioning.
At Hamburger SV, he featured for the reserve side in the Regionalliga Nord, gaining valuable experience in semi-professional football. This period prepared him for the step up to the first team and the rigors of the Bundesliga.
Path to Professional Soccer
Choupo-Moting’s path to senior football began when he broke into the Hamburger SV first team in August 2007, making his Bundesliga debut as a substitute against Hannover 96. Early opportunities were limited under manager Martin Jol, prompting a loan move to 1. FC Nürnberg for the 2009–10 season, where he scored six goals in 27 appearances and helped the club retain its Bundesliga status.
On his return to Hamburg, game time remained scarce, and a planned loan move to 1. FC Köln collapsed after registration documents were submitted late. The setback pushed him back to the reserves, but he rebounded by signing a three-year contract with 1. FSV Mainz 05 on a free transfer in May 2011.
At Mainz, Choupo-Moting delivered his strongest Bundesliga campaign to date, scoring ten league goals in 2011–12. A knee injury limited his impact the following season, but he returned in 2013–14 with another ten-goal league haul, helping Mainz finish seventh and qualify for the UEFA Europa League. That consistency attracted the attention of larger clubs.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Career
Early Career at Hamburger SV (2007–2011)
Choupo-Moting made his first Hamburger SV appearance in a Bundesliga match on 11 August 2007, entering as a substitute in the 69th minute against Hannover 96. Despite his early promise, he struggled to secure a regular starting place and featured sporadically over the next two seasons. The 2009–10 loan spell at 1. FC Nürnberg provided his first sustained run of senior football.
On returning to Hamburg, he found first-team minutes hard to come by and managed only two goals before January 2011. A proposed loan to 1. FC Köln fell through due to administrative issues, and he spent the second half of the season with the reserves before sealing his permanent move to Mainz.
Mainz 05 Breakthrough (2011–2014)
Choupo-Moting joined Mainz 05 in May 2011 and quickly established himself as a key attacking option. His 2011–12 season, with ten Bundesliga goals, marked his emergence as a reliable Bundesliga forward. Although a knee injury restricted him in 2012–13, he bounced back strongly in 2013–14, scoring ten goals in 32 league appearances.
His performances helped Mainz secure seventh place and a Europa League spot. At the end of that campaign, Choupo-Moting opted against a contract renewal, opening the door for a move to one of Germany’s biggest clubs.
Schalke 04 Stint (2014–2017)
On 5 July 2014, FC Schalke 04 confirmed the signing of Choupo-Moting on a three-year contract. He was assigned the number 13 shirt and quickly became a regular in the squad. Over his three seasons in Gelsenkirchen, he made more than 80 appearances and developed into a consistent contributor in the Bundesliga.
One of his most memorable moments at Schalke came on 6 December 2014, when he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 home win over VfB Stuttgart. His displays attracted Premier League interest, and he departed for Stoke City in August 2017 after his contract expired.
Stoke City Adventure (2017–2018)
Choupo-Moting joined Premier League side Stoke City on a three-year contract on 7 August 2017, making his debut against Everton shortly after. He made an instant impact, scoring both goals in a 2–2 draw with Manchester United on 9 September 2017 and earning the BBC Sport Man of the Match award.
However, his time in England was brief and frustrating. He played 32 matches in 2017–18, scoring five goals, as Stoke suffered relegation to the EFL Championship. Limited playing time prompted a move back to a top European league.
Paris Saint-Germain Era (2018–2020)
On 31 August 2018, Choupo-Moting signed with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. He debuted in the Champions League against Liverpool on 18 September 2018 and scored on his Ligue 1 debut against Rennes five days later. He featured regularly as a squad player during his two seasons in Paris.
Among his standout moments was a stoppage-time goal against Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-final on 12 August 2020, which completed a late turnaround and sent PSG into the semi-finals for the first time in 25 years. He also appeared as a substitute in the 2020 Champions League final, a 1–0 defeat to Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich Success (2020–2024)
Choupo-Moting joined Bayern Munich on a one-year contract on 5 October 2020 and made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his debut in the DFB-Pokal. He netted his first Champions League goal for Bayern on 9 December 2020 against Lokomotiv Moscow and his first Bundesliga goal on 25 February 2021 in a 5–1 win over 1. FC Köln. In May 2021, he lifted his first Bundesliga title.
In August 2021, he scored four goals in a 12–0 DFB-Pokal win over Bremer SV, becoming the first Bayern player to be directly involved in seven goals in a single DFB-Pokal match since records began in 2008–09. He signed a contract extension in March 2023, keeping him at the club until June 2024, before departing upon the expiry of his deal.
New York Red Bulls Era (2024–Present)
On 18 December 2024, Choupo-Moting was announced as a New York Red Bulls signing on a free transfer. He opened his MLS account on 15 March 2025 with a penalty kick in a 2–2 draw against Orlando City SC, and added two more penalty goals in a 4–2 victory over Charlotte FC on 28 May 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Choupo-Moting is often stationed as a central striker or on the left wing. He is a composed finisher with purposeful and powerful dribbling ability, comfortable operating on either flank or through the middle. His high work rate, long stride, and direct dribbling style allow him to stretch defenses and link play effectively.
Notable Events and Milestones
Choupo-Moting’s career includes a UEFA Champions League semi-final with Paris Saint-Germain, multiple Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, and a place in Cameroon’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad, where he scored against Serbia. He also holds the distinction of being directly involved in seven goals in a single DFB-Pokal match, a Bayern Munich record.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Career Wins
Across his club career, Choupo-Moting has collected major honours with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, including Bundesliga titles and domestic cup successes. He has also contributed to Cameroon’s qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and reached the Africa Cup of Nations with the national side.
Bayern Munich Highlights
With Bayern Munich, Choupo-Moting won Bundesliga titles and contributed important goals in the DFB-Pokal and Champions League. His four-goal display against Bremer SV and his clinical finishing in key matches underlined his value as a reliable squad player.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was born to a German mother and a Cameroonian father, giving him dual heritage that shaped both his upbringing and his international football career. His mixed background allowed him to represent Germany at youth level before switching allegiance to Cameroon.
Personal Life
Choupo-Moting is married to his German wife Nevin. The couple has two children, born in 2013 and 2021. He has often spoken about the importance of family in grounding him throughout his football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s first full campaign with New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. After joining in December 2024, he has adapted quickly to the league, opening his account with a penalty against Orlando City SC in March 2025 and adding two more from the spot against Charlotte FC in late May.
As one of the most experienced forwards on the Red Bulls roster, Choupo-Moting has provided leadership and a consistent goal-scoring threat in the early months of the season. His physical presence and finishing ability have made him a focal point of the team’s attack.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Choupo-Moting will be expected to play a key role as New York Red Bulls chase playoff qualification. His big-game experience at clubs like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain should continue to benefit the squad as the season progresses.
