Lamin Jawneh Bio
Lamin Bunja Jawneh is a Gambian footballer who plays as a forward for Texoma FC in USL League One. Standing at 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m), he operates primarily as a left winger and has built a journeyman career across lower-division American soccer, the Greek lower divisions, and the Caribbean. After beginning in the United States amateur ranks in 2017, Jawneh worked his way into professional setups in the Dominican Republic and the USL Championship before settling into the third tier with Texoma FC in 2025.
Known for his pace, willingness to track back as a fullback when needed, and ability to deliver in cup competition, Jawneh has remained a productive contributor at every stop. His journey reflects the modern path of many Gambian prospects: testing themselves abroad at a young age and persevering through short-term contracts in search of long-term stability.
Early Life and Background
Lamin Bunja Jawneh was born on October 31, 1995, in Banjul, the capital city of The Gambia. Growing up in a coastal West African nation with a strong footballing culture, he was surrounded by the sport from an early age. Gambia has produced a steady stream of professional talent despite its small population, and Jawneh grew up dreaming of following that pathway to a professional contract overseas.
Like many Gambian players of his generation, Jawneh looked abroad for opportunities because the domestic top flight offered limited professional structure. His move to the United States in 2017 marked his first step away from home and the beginning of a career shaped by adaptability and persistence in unfamiliar environments.
Path to Soccer
Jawneh’s professional pathway began in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth tier of American soccer. His first senior club was Inter Nashville in 2017, followed the next year by SGFC Eagles Maryland in 2018. These amateur sides provided him with competitive minutes and exposure, and a trial with Greek club Ialysos earned him his first move to Europe.
At Ialysos in the Greek lower divisions, Jawneh sharpened his game against a new style of play. He spent the 2018 to 2019 season with the club, including a short loan spell at Phoebus Kremasti in 2019. The Greek chapter was brief but formative, giving him the professional environment he needed to attract attention from clubs back in North America.
Lamin Jawneh Career
Early Career (2017 to 2019)
During his first two seasons in the United States, Jawneh adapted to the physical and tactical demands of the American game with Inter Nashville in 2017 and SGFC Eagles Maryland in 2018. These appearances in the NPSL gave him regular minutes and built the foundation for a professional contract.
In 2018, Jawneh earned a move to Greek football with Ialysos, where he competed in the country’s lower professional divisions. A short loan to Phoebus Kremasti followed in 2019, expanding his experience in a new league. By the end of 2019, he was ready to test himself at a higher level back in the United States.
Atlanta United 2 Breakthrough (2020)
On January 23, 2020, Jawneh signed with Atlanta United 2 of the USL Championship, the reserve team affiliated with Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United. The move represented his first entry into a fully professional American league. He made his debut for the club on March 8, 2020, entering as a second-half substitute in a 1 to 0 loss to Charleston Battery.
Although his time at Atlanta was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, he appeared in 11 matches for the side. The experience gave him valuable exposure to professional training environments and set the stage for a move into the Caribbean the following year.
Moca FC Era (2021)
For the 2021 season, Jawneh signed with Moca FC of Liga Dominicana de Fútbol, the top flight of Dominican soccer. The move gave him a chance to play consistent minutes as a starter and to contribute goals across a full campaign. On June 9, 2021, he scored in a 4 to 0 victory over Delfines del Este FC, opening his account for the club.
He added a second goal on July 11, 2021, in a 5 to 1 win over Atlántico FC, and on September 25, 2021, he recorded a goal and an assist in a 2 to 0 home victory over Universidad O&M FC. He ended the season with 25 appearances and 4 goals, finishing as one of Moca’s most reliable attacking outlets.
Phoenix Rising and Apotheos FC Era (2022 to 2023)
On June 22, 2022, Jawneh signed with Phoenix Rising FC of the USL Championship on a short 25-day contract. The deal was extended through the end of the 2022 season on July 14, 2022, giving him several months to prove himself at one of the top second-tier clubs in the United States. Phoenix Rising declined his 2023 contract option in October 2022, sending him back into the lower divisions.
In 2023, Jawneh joined Atlanta-area club Apotheos FC for the National Premier Soccer League season. He helped the club win the Southeast Conference regular-season title, scoring two goals in a 4 to 1 victory over Charlottetowne Hops FC on July 12, 2023. Three days later, on July 15, 2023, he scored an 85th-minute equalizer in the conference final, helping Apotheos erase a 2-goal deficit and eventually win 4 to 3 in extra time against Georgia Revolution FC.
Georgia Lions Era (2024)
On April 11, 2024, Jawneh joined Georgia Lions FC of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), a lower-division professional league in the United States. He scored his first goal for the club on June 22, 2024, converting a penalty kick in a 2 to 1 loss to Maryland Bobcats FC. Across the season, he appeared in 9 matches, logging 810 minutes while contributing 1 goal and 1 assist.
Texoma FC Era (2025)
Jawneh joined USL League One side Texoma FC on February 13, 2025, ahead of the club’s inaugural season. The move placed him in a third-tier professional environment and reunited him with a competitive league structure. On June 28, 2025, he scored his first goal for the club in a 5 to 4 USL Cup loss to his former side Phoenix Rising FC.
He registered his first league goal on August 20, 2025, in a 3 to 3 draw with AV Alta. Across the campaign, Jawneh appeared in 31 matches for Texoma FC, scoring 2 goals and providing 5 assists while playing primarily as a winger or fullback, finishing the season as a regular contributor in the expansion club’s first year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jawneh’s game is built on his pace down the left flank and his willingness to track back defensively, which has allowed coaches to deploy him at both left wing and left fullback. He combines direct attacking play with consistent service into the box and shows composure from the penalty spot.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, the July 2023 conference final equalizer for Apotheos FC stands out as a career highlight, along with his 25 appearances and 4 goals during the 2021 season at Moca FC. His transition into the professional ranks with Atlanta United 2 in 2020 marked his formal breakthrough into paid American soccer.
Lamin Jawneh Career Wins
Across his professional and semi-professional career, Lamin Bunja Jawneh has accumulated individual contributions rather than major senior titles. His most notable team honor came with Apotheos FC’s Southeast Conference regular-season title in 2023, capped by a dramatic conference-final victory over Georgia Revolution FC. At Moca FC in 2021, he was a steady contributor with 4 goals in 25 appearances, and at Georgia Lions in 2024, he produced 1 goal and 1 assist across 9 matches.
Other Wins and Performances
Jawneh’s most eye-catching performance outside of the USL system came during the 2021 Liga Dominicana season with Moca FC, where he delivered key goals in wins over Delfines del Este FC, Atlántico FC, and Universidad O&M FC. His brief but productive spell at Phoenix Rising FC in 2022 also demonstrated that he could perform against second-tier opposition before returning to lower leagues.
Lamin Jawneh Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Lamin Bunja Jawneh’s parents and broader family background are not publicly documented. His hometown of Banjul, The Gambia, is well known for producing footballers who pursue professional careers abroad, and Jawneh fits within that tradition of Gambian players seeking opportunity overseas.
Personal Life
Lamin Bunja Jawneh keeps his personal life largely private, and no verified information is publicly available about a spouse, partner, or children. His social media presence focuses primarily on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Lamin Jawneh’s 2025 season with Texoma FC was a defining year as he helped establish a brand-new USL League One expansion side. He appeared in 31 matches across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 5 assists while playing on the left flank. His first goal for the club arrived on June 28, 2025, in a USL Cup defeat to Phoenix Rising FC, while his first league goal came on August 20, 2025, in a 3 to 3 draw with AV Alta.
Operating mainly as a winger and occasionally as a fullback, he offered reliability and experience to a Texoma FC squad learning the demands of professional third-tier football. The 5 assists he recorded highlighted his role as a creator, even when he was not finding the net himself, and confirmed his value beyond pure scoring numbers.
Looking ahead, Jawneh is well positioned to remain a fixture at the USL League One level. His mix of pace, defensive work rate, and proven cup pedigree makes him an attractive option for clubs in the third tier, and his successful adaptation at Texoma FC has reaffirmed his standing as a dependable lower-division professional.