Noa Boutin became the first French player to join the AFC Bournemouth academy when he signed in the summer of 2020.
Born in Paris, Boutin spent his formative years with local club AC Boulogne-Billancourt, which is situated in the suburbs of the French capital.
He started playing when he was five and spent around ten years with the club before having trials in France and England.
Despite offers of a scholarship from West Brom, Birmingham City and Stoke City, Boutin opted to join the Cherries as he felt it would be the best place for his development.
A deal was agreed in early 2020 and Boutin continued to play for AC Boulogne-Billancourt for the remainder of the 2019/20 season before linking up with Alan Connell’s squad.
Predominantly a left-back, Boutin has also been deployed as a left winger and has excelled in both positions.
Boutin featured as the Cherries reached the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup in 2021/22 and also helped them win the EFL Youth Alliance title.
In February 2022, he joined Southern Premier South outfit Poole Town on a work experience loan.
Boutin made six league appearances for the Dolphins and also started as they lifted the Dorset Senior Cup, beating neighbours Hamworthy United in the final.
In August 2022, he joined National League South outfit Weymouth on a work experience loan and made eight appearances for the Terras.
Now fluent in English having studied hard since he joined the club, Boutin hopes to emulate his two favourite players, Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies.