Carlos Forbs

Carlos Forbs
Forbs with Ajax in 2024
Personal information
Full name Carlos Roberto Forbs Borges
Date of birth (2004-03-19) 19 March 2004 (age 22)
Place of birth Sintra, Portugal
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position Winger
Team information
Current team
 Club Brugge
Number 9
Youth career
2011–2014 NADCC Sintra
2014–2015 Sporting CP
2015–2023 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2025 Ajax 22 (2)
2024 Jong Ajax 2 (1)
2024–2025 → Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 10 (0)
2025– Club Brugge 42 (9)
International career‡
2020 Portugal U16 3 (1)
2022 Portugal U18 3 (1)
2022–2023 Portugal U19 16 (2)
2023– Portugal U21 18 (5)
2025– Portugal 1 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Portugal
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Runner-up2023 Malta
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 10 October 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:15, 16 November 2025 (UTC)

Carlos Roberto Forbs Borges (born 19 March 2004) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a winger for Belgian Pro League club Club Brugge and the Portugal national team.

Club career

Early career

Born in Sintra, Lisboa Region, Forbs started playing football there, before enjoying a season-short spell at Sporting CP in the capital. He moved to England at the age of around 11, where he attended high-school at the Cooperative Academy of Leeds, but soon caught the eye of many Premier League scouts, joining the Manchester City academy in 2015.

In Manchester, he progressed through all of the youth categories, becoming a regular provider of goals and assists with the under-18 and under-23 teams, as City won both national tournaments between 2020 and 2022. He was named under-18 player of the season for Manchester City in May 2021.

By the end of 2021, he made his Youth League debut, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 away pool win against RB Leipzig.

He made headlines in September 2022, as he scored a hat-trick and delivered an assist during Manchester City's opening game of the Youth League, a 5–1 away win against Sevilla. He also proved to be instrumental a month later, with a goal and an assist in the 3–1 win at Copenhagen. In the 2022–23 season, he scored 25 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions for Manchester City U21.

Ajax

On 3 August 2023, Forbs signed for Eredivisie club Ajax on a five-year contract in a €14 million deal, which could rise to €19 million with variables. Nine days later, he made his professional debut for the Amsterdam side, coming off the bench to replace Brian Brobbey in the final minutes of a 4–1 home victory over Heracles Almelo, in the 2023–24 Eredivisie's opening game-week.

Ten days later, in the next league match, away to Excelsior, Forbs started and assisted Brobbey's opener, before being replaced by Davy Klaassen in the 60th minute; the game ended in a 2–2 draw. On 24 August, he made his debut in European competitions, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 4–1 win away at Ludogorets Razgrad, in the UEFA Europa League play-off round.

On 21 September, in an Europa League group stage match at home to Marseille, Forbs scored his first professional goal and also provided an assist; the game ended in a 3–3 draw.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 30 August 2024, Forbs returned to England and joined Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers on an initial season-long loan.

Club Brugge

On 17 July 2025, Forbs joined Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge for a reported fee close to €8 million, signing a four-year contract. He made his debut for the club as a 46th minute substitute for Hugo Vetlesen against Genk on 27 July, entering the field while his team was 0–1 down in an eventual 2–1 win.

On 5 November 2025, Forbs scored twice and provided an assist in a 3–3 draw against Barcelona in the Champions League league phase, being named Player of the Match for his efforts.

International career

Born in Portugal, Forbs is of Bissau-Guinean descent. He is a youth international for Portugal. By 2022, he became a regular starter with the Portuguese under-19s.

On 8 September 2023, Forbs made his debut for Portugal's under-21s, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 home win over Andorra, in a qualifier for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Forbs was called up to the Portugal senior team on 8 November 2025 for the 2025 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Republic of Ireland and Armenia respectively. He made his senior national debut on 16 November, coming off the bench to replace Bernardo Silva and winning a penalty in a 9–1 victory over Armenia, at the Estádio do Dragão, as Portugal secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Personal life

Formerly known as Carlos Borges, the player has opted to play using his mother's surname as Carlos Forbs since he joined Ajax in August 2023.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 21 October 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City U21 2022–23 ––––3434
Ajax 2023–24 Eredivisie 21210–101–323
2024–25 Eredivisie 10—–50–60
Total 22210–151–384
Jong Ajax 2023–24 Eerste Divisie 21––––21
Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 2024–25 Premier League 1000010––110
Club Brugge 2025–26 Belgian Pro League 35700–133004810
2026–27 Belgian Pro League 7200–3110113
Total 42900—164105913
Career total 761210103154411321
  1. ↑ Includes KNVB Cup
  2. ↑ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. ↑ Eight appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  5. ↑ Apperanaces in UEFA Europa League
  6. 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  7. ↑ Appearance in Belgian Super Cup

International

As of match played 16 November 2025
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Portugal 202510
Total10

Honours

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 Guerra, Francisco (7 September 2022). "Carlos Borges, a nova coqueluche do Manchester City" [Carlos Borges, Manchester City's new darling]. Record (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 Brennan, Stuart (1 February 2022). "Man City have another Portuguese star in the making". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 ""Hat-trick" do português Carlos Borges pelo Manchester City na Youth League" [Portuguese Carlos Borges' "hat-trick" for Manchester City in the Youth League]. Rádio Renascença (in European Portuguese). 6 September 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  4. ↑ Bajkowski, Simon (19 May 2022). "Man City exciting winger Carlos Borges is out to make up for lost time". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  5. ↑ Smith, Jonathan (6 July 2022). "Palmer, Kayky, Delap and the Man City wonderkids who could follow in Foden's footsteps". Goal. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  6. ↑ Walsh, Dylan (1 June 2021). "Manchester City fans laud 'insane' Carlos Borges after U-18 award". TBR Football. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  7. 1 2 Lawless, Josh (6 September 2022). "18-year-old Manchester City prospect Carlos Borges is a serious talent, his stats are crazy". SPORTbible. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  8. ↑ "A nova pérola portuguesa no Man. City: Carlos Borges deu show em Sevilha". Notícias ao Minuto (in Portuguese). 6 September 2022. Archived from the original on 29 July 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  9. ↑ Brotherton, Alex (11 October 2022). "Carlos Borges sends Pep Guardiola message in Man City EDS Youth League win". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  10. ↑ "Carlos Borges, la perla lusa que espera la llamada de Guardiola" [Carlos Borges, the Portuguese gem waiting for Guardiola's call] (in Spanish). BeSoccer. 7 July 2023.
  11. ↑ "Ajax sign Carlos Roberto Forbs Borges". AFC Ajax. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  12. ↑ "Man City forward Borges joins Ajax in £17.3m deal". BBC Sport. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  13. ↑ Dimitri, Payet (8 December 2023). "kwin". Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "Ajax 4 - 1 Heracles Almelo: Nyförvärven levererade direkt" [Ajax 4 - 1 Heracles Almelo: The new signings delivered straight away]. SvenskaFans.com (in Swedish). 12 August 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  15. ↑ "Com Francisco Conceição de fora, Carlos Borges assiste mas Ajax tropeça" [With Francisco Conceição out, Carlos Borges assists but Ajax stumbles]. Notícias ao Minuto (in European Portuguese). 19 August 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  16. ↑ "Ludogorets vs Ajax". beIN SPORTS. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  17. ↑ "'Show' do português Carlos Borges no empate entre Ajax e Marseille" [Portuguese Carlos Borges 'show' in draw between Ajax and Marseille]. Notícias ao Minuto (in European Portuguese). 21 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  18. ↑ "Forbs deal concludes transfer window". Wolverhampton Wanderers. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  19. ↑ Sportredactie, Onze (17 July 2025). "Ajax verkoopt Forbs aan Club Brugge en raakt weer aankoop van Mislintat kwijt" [Ajax sells Forbs to Club Brugge and gets rid of another Mislintat signing]. NU.nl. Retrieved 5 November 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ↑ "Carlos Forbs joins Club Brugge". Club Brugge. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  21. ↑ "Club Brugge vs Genk: First Division A stats & head-to-head". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  22. ↑ Belgian, Get; read, Dutch Football News·1 min (29 July 2025). "Former Premier League and Eredivisie struggler makes great impression at Club Brugge". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 5 November 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ "Portuguese youngster Carlos Forbs dazzles for Club Brugge against Barcelona in 3-3 draw: "Today is a dream come true"". OneFootball. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "Op zucht van gigastunt: Club Brugge dwingt grootmacht Barcelona tot het uiterste en blijft teleurgesteld achter met punt". kicker. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  25. ↑ Silva, Flávio Miguel (16 September 2022). "Sporting domina escolhas de Joaquim Milheiro" [Sporting dominates Joaquim Milheiro's selections]. Record (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  26. ↑ "Tarde de estreias e números especiais" [Afternoon of debuts and special numbers] (in European Portuguese). FPF. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  27. ↑ "Convocatória para Rep. Irlanda e Arménia" [Call-up list for Republic of Ireland and Armenia] (in Portuguese). Federação Portuguesa de Futebol. 7 November 2025.
  28. ↑ "Forbs é o 14.º estreante de Martínez e logo com o 7 nas costas" [Forbs is Martínez's 14th debutant and with the 7 on his back] (in European Portuguese). RTP. 16 November 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  29. ↑ "Ajax complete signing of Portuguese forward Carlos Forbs from Manchester City - portugoal.net". portugoal.net. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  30. ↑ Carlos Forbs at Soccerway
  31. ↑ "Carlos Forbs". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  32. ↑ "2023 Under-19 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA. Retrieved 6 August 2026.