Introducing Leon Bailey, Bayer Leverkusen’s frighteningly fast, left-footed winger, and Jamaica’s newest talent. boohooMAN is made up to have this rising star as our brand ambassador! Here’s everything you need to know about this street-smart footballer who looks to set to shine in both international sport and the world of fashion.
Who is Leon Bailey, where is he from and how old is he?
Born in Cassava Piece, Kingston, Jamaica on 9 August 1997, Leon Patrick Bailey is 22 years old. He grew up in Kingston, and travelled to Belgium and Europe as a teenager with his adoptive dad and agent, Craig Butler.
Recognising Bailey’s skills with a ball, Butler was determined to see his son become a professional footballer.
How did his football career begin?
Bailey says football chose him, not the other way round, as all he has ever wanted to do since he was born is kick everything! It’s a good job then that Butler was able to channel that passion and guide Bailey towards the success he is enjoying today.
In 2015, at age 17, Bailey signed for AS Trenčín, whose first team plays in the Slovak Super Liga. Shortly after, Bailey joined KRC Genk, where he wowed everyone and won the Belgian Young Footballer of the Year award for the 2015–2016 season.
A defender’s worst nightmare
Perhaps you’ll remember Bailey’s opening goal against Rapid Vienna on 15 September 2016? His strike, a curling 25-yard shot into the top left corner, was crowned as the Goal of the Competition in the 2016/17 Europa League. Scoring from both distance and while on the run, he was praised by the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and others on the EUFA’s technical panel.
It was onwards and upwards from there…
In January 2017, Bailey joined Bundesliga side, Bayer Leverkusen. Registering nine goals and six assists, he helped the club to finish in fifth place in the Bundesliga and qualify for the Europa League.
Bailey’s budding international career
Bailey played for the Jamaican national team under 23, and on 17 June 2019, he earned his first Jamaica international cap against Honduras. His chipped pass over the Honduran defence facilitated the opening goal. Three months later, he scored his first goal for the international team in their game against Antigua and Barbuda.
The latest about Leon Bailey
Bailey has scored 22 goals for Leverkusen to date, not least because of his ability to steal in unnoticed behind defenders and use the element of surprise to deliver the fatal shot. Not to mention his athletic prowess and agile build.
We’re looking forward to seeing him sporting our latest garments while following his European and international footballing career.
