Sporting Kansas City added the versatile Zorhan Bassong ahead of the 2024 campaign. The Canadian - who can play both left back and in central midfield - has previously spent time in France, Belgium, Romania and Major League Soccer, including 43 matches in all competitions with CF Montreal. He played two MLS seasons in Montreal from 2021-2022 before spending 2023 in Romania with Arges Pitesti and Farul Constanta. Bassong enjoyed a fine first season with Sporting, culminating in Newcomer of the Year honors in 2024.
Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, Bassong moved to Belgium in 2013 to join the Mouscron academy. Bassong furthered his development in the heralded academy systems at Belgian side Anderlecht and French club Lille, beginning his professional career at the latter in 2016.
He joined Belgian outfit Cercle Brugge in January 2019 and left the club in July 2020. Bassong enjoyed a two-year MLS stint with CF Montreal that began in early 2021. Following his time with Montreal, Bassong spent 2023 with two Romanian clubs, Arges Pitesti and Farul Constanta.
On the international stage, Bassong represented the Belgium U-19s for two friendlies in 2017 before switching his allegiance to Canada. He earned two caps for Canada’s senior national team in January 2020, including a 90-minute outing in a 4-1 friendly win over Barbados. In March 2021, Bassong played three matches for Canada at the 2020 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship in Mexico, reaching the semifinals.
PROFESSIONAL
2024: Signed with Sporting KC as a free agent on Dec. 12, 2023. Made 25 appearances across all competitions, tallying one assist. Split time between left back and central midfield and was named Sporting KC Newcomer of the Year at the conclusion of the campaign. MLS Regular Season: Started 14 of 21 appearances, tallying one assist - coming in the 4-3 home loss to Real Salt Lake on June 19. Received a red card late on in the club's 3-2 home victory over FC Dallas on July 7. Open Cup: Started two of three appearances in the club's run to the Open Cup Final, including starting and playing the opening 106 minutes of the 3-1 extra time road defeat to LAFC in the Final on Sept. 25. Leagues Cup: Made one appearance, playing the final nine minutes of the club's 2-1 home win over Chicago Fire FC in the Group Stage.
Arges Pitesti & Farul Constanta (2023): Bassong spent 2023 with two Romanian clubs, Arges Pitesti (10 matches) and Farul Constanta (two matches).
CF Montreal (2021-2022): Bassong enjoyed a two-year MLS stint with CF Montreal that began in early 2021. He played 26 regular season matches in his debut MLS campaign, notably assisting Mason Toye’s late goal in a 1-0 away win over Chicago Fire FC on May 29, 2021. He added another assist in Montreal’s run to the 2021 Canadian Championship title, appearing in every match of the tournament.
Bassong played 14 more matches in all competitions the following year—including two in the 2022 Concacaf Champions League and two in the Canadian Championship—as he helped Montreal set a club record for regular season wins (20), points (65) and goal differential (+13).
Cercle Brugge (2019-2020): Bassong joined Belgian outfit Cercle Brugge in January 2019 and left the club in July 2020.
Lille B (2016-2019): In three years with Lille B from 2016-2019, Bassong logged 31 appearances and over 2,100 minutes.
INTERNATIONAL
On the international stage, Bassong represented the Belgium U-19s for two friendlies in 2017 before switching his allegiance to Canada. He played twice for the country’s senior national team in January 2020, including a 90-minute outing in a 4-1 friendly win over Barbados. In March 2021, Bassong played three matches for Canada at the 2020 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship in Mexico, helping his team emerge from the group stage and reach the semifinals. Bassong was recalled to the Canadian National Team on the back of his impressive late-season form with Sporting in 2024, joining the team for the October International Window and a November Training Hub.
YOUTH
Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, Bassong moved to Belgium in 2013 to join the Mouscron academy, where fellow Sporting left back Logan Ndenbe also competed as a youth player. Bassong furthered his development in the heralded academy systems at Belgian side Anderlecht and French club Lille.
