Bukayo Saka celebrated his 25th birthday on 5 September 2026 with friends and family at a party themed “25 Twenty Five”. He shared photos on Instagram: cake in hand, black-and-white balloons, and his dogs close by.
Bukayo Saka turns 25 having already achieved more than most players do in a whole career. In the last four months alone he became a Premier League champion and scored a World Cup hat-trick.
An academy story with no detours
Saka was born in Ealing, west London, to Nigerian parents, and joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy at seven. He made his senior debut in November 2018 in a Europa League game against Vorskla. He has never played for anyone else.
That’s rare today. Even the best academy players are usually loaned out or sold. Saka went straight into the first team and never lost his place, and in February 2026 he signed a new contract that keeps him at Arsenal until 2031.
The numbers at 25
| Arsenal appearances | 323 (85 goals) |
| Premier League | 231 appearances, 63 goals |
| Club honours | Premier League 2025-26, FA Cup 2020, Community Shield 2020, 2023, 2026 |
| England | Euro runner-up 2020 and 2024, World Cup third place 2026 |
| Awards | Arsenal Player of the Season 2020-21 and 2021-22, PFA Young Player of the Year 2023, England Player of the Year twice |
Last season was his best yet. He passed 300 Arsenal appearances in March and his 50th Premier League assist in May. Arsenal won the title, their first in 22 years, and reached the Champions League final.
A World Cup hat-trick in Miami
Saka missed England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina, but he made up for it in the third-place play-off. England beat France 6-4 in Miami, the highest-scoring third-place match in World Cup history, and Saka scored a hat-trick. He became only the fourth England player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup.
A career built under pressure
Saka’s story is also about resilience. At 19, he missed the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout and then suffered vile racist abuse online. It led to a much wider debate about online hate in English football.
He didn’t hide. He kept taking penalties for club and country, including the one that brought up his 200th Premier League appearance against West Ham. That says as much about him as any number.
What’s next
At 25, Saka is only halfway through what could be a long career at the top. Arsenal will want to defend their title and win in Europe, and England will want to turn deep tournament runs into a trophy.
For now, it’s a day for cake, balloons and celebrating a quarter-century well spent.
FAQ
How old is Bukayo Saka?
He turned 25 on 5 September 2026. He was born on 5 September 2001.
What has Saka won?
The Premier League (2025-26), the FA Cup (2020) and three Community Shields with Arsenal, plus third place at the 2026 World Cup with England.
Did Saka score a hat-trick at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes, in England’s 6-4 win over France in the third-place play-off on 18 July.
Has Saka ever played for another club?
No. He joined Arsenal’s academy at seven and is under contract until 2031.
Sources: Wikipedia; Fox News; Arsenal.com; ESPN.
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