Dilane Bakwa is one of those young footballers whose career has moved very quickly. Born in France, he went from learning the game as a child to playing professional football in France and England. Today, Dilane Bakwa is back in French football with Lille on loan from Nottingham Forest, giving him another chance to show why clubs have followed his talent for years. Lille officially announced his season-long loan on August 26, 2026.
Quick Bio of Dilane Bakwa
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dilane Ros-Anderson Bakwa |
| Popular name | Dilane Bakwa |
| Date of birth | August 26, 2002 |
| Age | 24 years old |
| Birthplace | Créteil, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | About 1.79–1.80 m |
| Profession | Professional footballer |
| Position | Winger / attacking player |
| Parent club | Nottingham Forest |
| Current club | Lille, on loan |
| Former clubs | Bordeaux, Strasbourg |
| International level | France youth teams |
| France U21 appearances | 6 |
The French Football Federation lists Bakwa as being born in Créteil on August 26, 2002, and records his journey through France’s youth national teams.
Who Is Dilane Bakwa?
Dilane Bakwa is a French professional footballer best known for playing in attacking positions.
He can play out wide, where his speed and movement can cause problems for defenders. Instead of simply standing near the touchline and waiting for the ball, Bakwa likes to move, attack space, and become involved in chances.
His journey is interesting because he did not suddenly appear at a major club.
He spent years learning the game.
First came small youth clubs. Then came Bordeaux. After that, Strasbourg helped him become better known. Nottingham Forest eventually brought him to England, before Lille signed him on loan in 2026.
It has been a steady climb.
How Old Is Dilane Bakwa?
Dilane Bakwa was born on August 26, 2002, which means he turned 24 years old in August 2026.
He was born in Créteil, a city close to Paris in France.
At 24, Bakwa is still at an age when many footballers are improving. He already has experience in both French and English football, but there could still be many important years ahead of him.
That is part of what makes his story interesting.
He is young, but he is no longer an inexperienced academy player.
Dilane Bakwa’s Early Life
Public information about Bakwa’s private childhood is limited.
That is not unusual. Some footballers become famous so young that fans know almost everything about them. Others keep most of their family life away from cameras.
What we do know clearly is that football became part of Bakwa’s life when he was very young.
The French Football Federation records show that he played for FC Boissy before joining US Lusitanos Saint-Maur. He later entered the Bordeaux youth system in 2015.
Think about that for a moment.
He was only around 13 when he joined one of France’s well-known football academies.
For a young player, that is a huge change. Training becomes more serious. Coaches expect more. Competition gets harder because nearly every player around you dreams of becoming a professional.
Bakwa kept moving forward.
His Years at the Bordeaux Academy
Bordeaux became a very important part of Dilane Bakwa’s story.
He joined the club’s academy in 2015 and spent several years developing there. Lille’s official announcement described him as one of the promising French players of his generation and noted that he signed his first professional deal in 2019, before turning 17.
Getting a professional contract is a huge moment for any young footballer.
But it does not mean the hard work is finished.
In many ways, it means the difficult part is just beginning.
A young player now has to prove that he can compete with experienced adults rather than only players his own age.
Bakwa eventually got that chance.
When Did Dilane Bakwa Make His Professional Debut?
Bakwa made his professional debut for Bordeaux in September 2020.
He appeared in a Ligue 1 match against Nice, which ended 0-0.
For a teenager who had spent years inside the academy, stepping onto a Ligue 1 pitch was a major achievement.
Imagine being a young footballer and suddenly sharing the field with players you may have watched on television.
That is the point where a childhood dream starts becoming real.
However, becoming a regular starter takes time.
Bakwa had to remain patient.
How Dilane Bakwa Became Important at Bordeaux
Bakwa gradually received more opportunities.
His biggest breakthrough came when Bordeaux were playing in Ligue 2.
There, he was able to play more regularly and show what he could do in attacking areas.
During the 2022-23 campaign, he made dozens of appearances and scored five times across competitions.
But goals tell only part of the story.
A winger can help a team by creating chances, carrying the ball forward, stretching defenders, and making space for teammates.
Those qualities started getting Bakwa noticed.
And another French club was watching.
Dilane Bakwa’s Move to Strasbourg
In August 2023, Bakwa left Bordeaux and joined RC Strasbourg Alsace.
The move gave him another opportunity to play in Ligue 1.
It was an important step.
Bordeaux had helped him become a professional. Strasbourg gave him the chance to prove himself at a higher level on a more regular basis.
During his time there, Bakwa became an important attacking option.
He scored his first Strasbourg league goal against Lorient in December 2023.
His performances improved further during the following season.
Why Did Dilane Bakwa Attract Attention?
Football clubs are always searching for attacking players who can make something happen.
Bakwa had several qualities that made scouts interested.
He was still young. He could play wide. He was comfortable attacking defenders, and he had already gained experience in French professional football.
His 2024-25 season was especially important.
L’Équipe records six Ligue 1 goals from 30 league appearances that season.
Numbers like those helped increase interest in him.
By summer 2025, clubs outside France were being linked with the winger.
One of them eventually made the move.
Dilane Bakwa Joins Nottingham Forest
On September 1, 2025, Nottingham Forest signed Bakwa from Strasbourg.
The transfer took him into the Premier League, one of the most watched football competitions in the world.
Reports placed the deal at around £30 million, while other reporting described the package as being worth approximately €35 million including possible bonuses.
That was a huge moment in his career.
Going from Ligue 1 to the Premier League is not always easy.
English football can be fast and physical. Players often have less time on the ball, and defenders can punish mistakes quickly.
Bakwa now had to adapt to a new club, a new league and a new football environment.
What Happened to Dilane Bakwa at Nottingham Forest?
Bakwa received playing time for Nottingham Forest, but his first season in England was not a huge goalscoring year.
Soccerbase records 14 Premier League appearances during the 2025-26 season, including starts and substitute appearances, without a league goal. He also featured in other competitions.
That does not mean the move was a failure.
Young attacking players sometimes need time to settle.
A player can be talented in France and still find English football difficult at first. Different tactics, different teammates and a different style of defending can all make a big difference.
Forest then decided on another step for Bakwa.
Why Is Dilane Bakwa Playing for Lille?
On August 26, 2026, Lille announced the arrival of Dilane Bakwa on a one-season loan from Nottingham Forest.
So, to make this simple:
Nottingham Forest still controls his contract, but Bakwa is spending the 2026-27 season playing for Lille.
Loan moves happen all the time in football.
A club may loan a player because it wants him to play more matches. Sometimes the player needs confidence. Sometimes another team’s style fits him better.
For Bakwa, returning to France also meant returning to a league he already knew well.
Dilane Bakwa’s Start at Lille
His start with Lille has already given fans something to talk about.
Available statistics through early September 2026 show Bakwa making two Ligue 1 appearances and scoring one goal.
That included a goal against Paris Saint-Germain in Lille’s 2-2 draw on August 28.
For a new player, scoring so quickly can be a big confidence boost.
Of course, two matches are far too few to judge an entire season.
But it gives Bakwa a positive starting point.
What Position Does Dilane Bakwa Play?
Bakwa is mainly an attacking player and is commonly described as a winger.
He can operate in wide areas and look to move toward goal.
Lille described him as an attacking midfielder and highlighted his development as a wide attacking talent.
A winger’s job can sound simple: run down the side and cross the ball.
Modern football is more complicated than that.
Wingers may move inside, switch positions, help create chances and sometimes become almost like extra forwards.
That flexibility can make players such as Bakwa useful.
Dilane Bakwa’s Playing Style
Bakwa’s game is built around attacking movement.
He likes getting involved when his team moves forward. His ability to play in wider areas means defenders cannot always stay comfortable.
When an attacking player runs directly toward a defender, that defender has a quick decision to make.
Should he move forward?
Should he stay back?
Should he call another teammate for help?
Players who can force those decisions create opportunities even when they do not score.
Bakwa has also shown that he can contribute goals and assists, especially during his Strasbourg years.
Has Dilane Bakwa Played for France?
Yes.
Bakwa has represented France at several youth levels.
He played for the French U16 and U17 teams before later appearing for France U21.
The French Football Federation lists:
- 9 appearances and 3 goals for France U16
- 19 appearances and 2 goals at U17 level
- 6 appearances for France U21
His U21 matches included European Championship qualifiers and friendly games.
Playing for France’s youth teams is a major achievement because France has one of the deepest pools of young football talent in the world.
What Is Dilane Bakwa’s Nationality?
Dilane Bakwa is French.
He was born in Créteil, France, and has represented France internationally at youth level.
Public profiles have also reported Congolese family heritage.
However, when talking about someone’s family background, it is always better to stick to information that has been publicly documented rather than guessing from a name or appearance.
How Tall Is Dilane Bakwa?
Dilane Bakwa is around 1.79 to 1.80 metres tall, or approximately 5 feet 10 inches.
The French Football Federation lists him at 179 cm, while some football databases use 180 cm.
Small differences like this are common in football profiles.
Does Dilane Bakwa Have a Girlfriend or Wife?
There is no widely confirmed public information showing that Dilane Bakwa is married.
Details about his romantic life are also not something he appears to discuss heavily in major public profiles.
That means it would be wrong to simply guess who he is dating.
For now, most public attention around Bakwa remains focused on football.
Who Are Dilane Bakwa’s Parents?
Very little reliable information about Dilane Bakwa’s parents is publicly available.
His parents’ names and personal careers are not widely documented by major football sources.
Some celebrity websites sometimes fill these gaps with guesses, but that can easily create false information.
It is better to say that this part of his life remains private.
What Is Dilane Bakwa’s Net Worth?
There is no reliable, publicly verified figure for Dilane Bakwa’s personal net worth.
This is an important difference.
A player’s transfer fee is not the same thing as his net worth.
If a club pays £30 million for a footballer, the footballer does not simply receive £30 million in his bank account. The money is mainly part of the deal between the clubs.
Bakwa earns money from his professional football contract and may have other commercial income, but his exact personal wealth has not been publicly confirmed.
Dilane Bakwa’s Career Timeline
Bakwa’s journey becomes easier to understand when we look at it step by step.
He began with FC Boissy as a child.
He then played for US Lusitanos Saint-Maur.
In 2015, he joined Bordeaux’s academy.
He signed his first professional contract in 2019.
His senior Bordeaux debut came in 2020.
Strasbourg signed him in 2023.
Nottingham Forest brought him to England in September 2025.
Then, in August 2026, he returned to France on loan with Lille.
It is a career that has already taken several interesting turns.
What Is Dilane Bakwa Doing Now in 2026?
As of September 2026, Dilane Bakwa is playing for Lille in Ligue 1 on loan from Nottingham Forest.
He has started the new chapter positively, with one goal in his first two league appearances according to current statistics.
The bigger question is what happens next.
Can he become a regular starter?
Can he score more goals?
Can a strong season in France help him return to Nottingham Forest as a more complete player?
Those questions will make his 2026-27 season worth watching.
Interesting Facts About Dilane Bakwa
Bakwa was born on August 26, 2002, and Lille announced his loan move on his 24th birthday.
He joined Bordeaux’s youth academy when he was around 13.
He played for France at U16, U17 and U21 level.
He has already played professional club football in both France and England.
Bakwa moved to Nottingham Forest in 2025 before returning to Ligue 1 with Lille one year later.
He scored for Lille very early in his loan spell, finding the net against PSG.
Why Dilane Bakwa’s Next Few Years Matter
Football careers can change very quickly.
One strong season can turn a player into a star.
One difficult season can lead to a loan.
And sometimes that loan becomes exactly what a player needs.
Bakwa is now at an interesting point.
He is no longer the teenager waiting for his chance at Bordeaux. He has played Ligue 1 football, moved to the Premier League and represented France at youth level.
But at 24, he also has plenty left to prove.
A successful year with Lille could become one of the most important chapters of his career.
Final Thoughts
Dilane Bakwa’s story shows how many steps can sit behind the word “footballer.”
There were years of youth training before Bordeaux gave him his senior opportunity. Strasbourg helped him grow. Nottingham Forest gave him a chance in England, and Lille has now opened another door.
His career has not followed one straight line.
That is what makes it interesting.
At only 24, Bakwa has already experienced academy football, Ligue 1, Ligue 2, the Premier League and France’s youth national teams.
Now fans will be watching to see what he does with his latest opportunity at Lille.
FAQs About Dilane Bakwa
Who is Dilane Bakwa?
Dilane Bakwa is a French professional footballer who plays as a winger or attacking player. He is currently with Lille on loan from Nottingham Forest.
How old is Dilane Bakwa?
He was born on August 26, 2002, making him 24 years old as of September 2026.
Where was Dilane Bakwa born?
He was born in Créteil, France.
What club does Dilane Bakwa play for?
He currently plays for Lille on loan. Nottingham Forest remains his parent club.
Did Dilane Bakwa play for Strasbourg?
Yes. He joined Strasbourg in 2023 after leaving Bordeaux and remained there until his move to Nottingham Forest in 2025.
Has Dilane Bakwa played for France?
Yes. He has represented France at U16, U17 and U21 levels.
How tall is Dilane Bakwa?
He is approximately 1.79 to 1.80 metres tall, or around 5 feet 10 inches.
Is Dilane Bakwa married?
There is no widely verified public information confirming that he is married.
What is Dilane Bakwa’s net worth?
His exact net worth has not been publicly verified by a reliable source.
Is Dilane Bakwa still a Nottingham Forest player?
Yes. He is contracted to Nottingham Forest but is spending the 2026-27 season on loan at Lille.
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