Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Bio
Jean-Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (born 23 March 1989) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls. Born in Germany, he represents the Cameroon national team at international level. Standing at 191 cm, he is known for his powerful dribbling, composure in front of goal, and high work rate. Over the course of his career, he has played for top clubs in Germany, England, and France, winning league titles and cup trophies.
Choupo-Moting began his professional journey in the Bundesliga with Hamburger SV in 2007 and has since built a reputation as a versatile forward capable of playing through the middle or out wide. He has lifted major honours with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, and he remains an active international player for Cameroon.
Early Life and Background
Jean-Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was born on 23 March 1989 in Hamburg, West Germany. He was raised in the Altona district of the city, where he attended Gymnasium Altona. He grew up in a bilingual and bicultural household, with a German mother and a Cameroonian father, which gave him early exposure to both cultures and shaped his dual nationality.
From a young age, Choupo-Moting showed a strong interest in football. He played for the youth teams of local clubs Teutonia 05, Altona 93, and FC St. Pauli before joining the Hamburger SV academy in 2004. His progression through these youth setups helped him develop the technical foundation and physical presence that would later define his senior career.
Path to Professional Soccer
Choupo-Moting’s path to the professional ranks began at Hamburger SV, where he featured for the reserve side in the Regionalliga Nord. He broke into the first team in August 2007 under manager Martin Jol, making his Bundesliga debut as a substitute against Hannover 96. Early opportunities were limited, and he was sent on loan to 1. FC Nürnberg for the 2009–10 season, where he scored six goals in 27 appearances and helped the club retain its top-flight status.
After returning to Hamburg, a planned loan move to 1. FC Köln collapsed due to late paperwork, and he spent the second half of the season with the reserves. Seeking regular playing time, Choupo-Moting signed a three-year contract with 1. FSV Mainz 05 on a free transfer in May 2011. His performances at Mainz reignited his career and paved the way for a move to one of Germany’s biggest clubs.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Career
Early Career (2007–2011)
Choupo-Moting’s first notable spell came at Hamburger SV, where he made his Bundesliga debut in August 2007. Although he struggled to hold down a regular starting place in Martin Jol’s side, the experience of training with a top-flight squad proved valuable. A loan spell at 1. FC Nürnberg in 2009–10 allowed him to play consistent senior football and demonstrate his eye for goal.
On his return to Hamburg, limited minutes led to a difficult 2010–11 season, and a botched loan move to 1. FC Köln left him sidelined. Despite these setbacks, his talent remained evident, and Mainz 05 offered him a fresh start in 2011.
Mainz 05 Breakthrough (2011–2014)
Choupo-Moting enjoyed a strong 2011–12 campaign with Mainz 05, scoring ten Bundesliga goals and establishing himself as a reliable attacking outlet. A knee injury restricted his involvement in 2012–13, but he returned to form the following season, again netting ten goals in 32 appearances. His contributions helped Mainz finish seventh and qualify for the UEFA Europa League, cementing his reputation as a consistent Bundesliga scorer.
Schalke 04 Era (2014–2017)
In July 2014, Choupo-Moting joined FC Schalke 04 on a free transfer, signing a three-year contract. He was assigned the number 13 shirt and quickly became a regular in the squad. In December 2014, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 home win over VfB Stuttgart, a highlight of his time in Gelsenkirchen. Over three seasons, he made more than 80 appearances and became a key contributor in attack.
Stoke City Stint (2017–2018)
Choupo-Moting moved to the Premier League in August 2017, signing a three-year deal with Stoke City. He marked his early days in England with a man-of-the-match performance against Manchester United, scoring both goals in a 2–2 draw. He played 32 matches and scored five goals during the 2017–18 season, but Stoke were relegated to the EFL Championship, and his minutes became limited.
Paris Saint-Germain Era (2018–2020)
In August 2018, Choupo-Moting joined Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. He scored on his Ligue 1 debut against Rennes and featured in the Champions League campaign. A memorable moment came in August 2019, when he came off the bench to score twice in a 4–0 win over Toulouse, including a brilliant solo effort. In August 2020, he netted a stoppage-time goal against Atalanta to send PSG into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 25 years, before appearing as a substitute in the final defeat to Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich Era (2020–2024)
Choupo-Moting signed a one-year contract with Bayern Munich in October 2020. He made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his DFB-Pokal debut and netting his first Champions League goal against Lokomotiv Moscow in December 2020. In April 2021, he scored in both Champions League quarter-final legs against former club Paris Saint-Germain, though Bayern were eliminated on away goals. He lifted his first Bundesliga title in May 2021.
In August 2021, he helped Bayern win the DFL-Supercup with a 3–1 victory over Borussia Dortmund. Later that month, 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 and continued to contribute through the 2023–24 season, scoring against every Bundesliga club that year. He departed Bayern in May 2024 upon the expiry of his contract.
New York Red Bulls Era (2024–Present)
On 18 December 2024, Choupo-Moting joined Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls on a free transfer. He opened his account on 15 March 2025, scoring a penalty in a 2–2 draw with Orlando City SC, and added two more penalties in a 4–2 win over Charlotte FC on 28 May 2025. His arrival added experience and physical presence to the Red Bulls attack as he settled into life in MLS.
Driving Style and Strengths
Choupo-Moting is often deployed as a central striker or on the left wing. He is recognised for his composed finishing, purposeful dribbling, and ability to operate on either flank or through the middle. His long stride, direct running, and high work rate make him a difficult matchup for defenders, and his tactical flexibility has allowed managers to use him in various attacking roles throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signature moments include his hat-trick against VfB Stuttgart for Schalke 04, his late Champions League goal for Paris Saint-Germain against Atalanta, and his four-goal performance in the DFB-Pokal for Bayern Munich. Internationally, he scored a crucial goal in Cameroon’s 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff against Algeria and netted his first World Cup goal in a 3–3 draw with Serbia in November 2022.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Career Wins
Choupo-Moting has collected major team honours at club level with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, including domestic league titles, cup trophies, and a Champions League runner-up finish. At international level, he has represented Cameroon at multiple FIFA World Cups and Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Bayern Munich Highlights
With Bayern Munich, Choupo-Moting won the Bundesliga in 2020–21 and the DFL-Supercup in 2021. He also reached the DFB-Pokal final during his time at the club and featured regularly in the Champions League, scoring in the knockout rounds against Paris Saint-Germain.
Other Wins and Performances
At Paris Saint-Germain, he won Ligue 1 titles and domestic cups, while also playing a key role in the club’s run to the 2019–20 Champions League final. Earlier in his career, he helped Mainz 05 qualify for the UEFA Europa League with a strong seventh-place finish in 2013–14.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Choupo-Moting was born in Hamburg to a German mother and a Cameroonian father, giving him a dual cultural heritage. This family background influenced his decision to represent Cameroon at senior international level, despite earlier featuring for Germany at youth level. His upbringing in the Altona district of Hamburg kept him connected to his German roots throughout his career.
Personal Life
Choupo-Moting is married to Nevin, his German wife, and the couple has two children, born in 2013 and 2021. The family has accompanied him through his various club moves across Germany, England, France, and now the United States.
2025 Season Performance
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting began his 2025 Major League Soccer campaign with New York Red Bulls after joining the club in December 2024. He opened his scoring account in March 2025 with a penalty in a 2–2 draw against Orlando City SC, giving the Red Bulls an early sign of his finishing ability from the spot.
By late May 2025, he had added two more penalty goals in a 4–2 victory over Charlotte FC, underlining his value as a reliable presence in the final third. His early contributions have helped New York Red Bulls build momentum in the Eastern Conference, with his experience proving valuable in tight matches.
Looking ahead, Choupo-Moting will be aiming to add more goals and assists as the 2025 MLS season progresses, while continuing to provide leadership in the Red Bulls attack. His pedigree from Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain has set high expectations for his impact in the league.