An in-depth look into Sutton’s newest recruit, Noa Boutin.
Born in Paris, Noa Boutin began his footballing journey in the French capital, joining the youth ranks at Régional 2 side AC Boulogne-Billancour.
Having signed for a well-regarded Parisian youth setup known for producing professional talents, Boutin developed as a technically strong and dynamic full-back, standing out for his pace, attacking intent and maturity, and his performances at youth level quickly attracted the attention of scouts from larger French and European clubs.
By his mid-teens, he had established himself as one of ACBB’s most promising prospects, and his foundation in Paris proved pivotal in shaping his progression and ultimately paved the way for his move to AFC Bournemouth’s academy in 2020, where he continued his development in England.
Having made the brave decision to move abroad at the age of 17, Boutin established his character and determination to make it in professional football, and after honing his skills in his home city, began life in Dorset by joining the Cherries’ development squad.
He began in the Under-18’s where he notably scored in the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round – a 2-0 win over QPR at the Vitality Stadium, before gaining his first taste of senior football on loan at Poole Town in the Southern League Premier South as a teenager, gaining valuable exposure to the physicality of men’s football and helping him adapt beyond academy level, appearing seven times for the Dolphins and earning a single Man of the Match award in that time. Boutin subsequently ended the season by being honoured as Premier League Scholar of the Year in May 2022, a recognition of his standout performances across Bournemouth’s youth setup.
After earning that accolade, the Cherries rewarded him with a third-year scholarship before eventually rising into the Under-21 squad, where his consistency and versatility earned praise from coaches. He signed his first professional contract in 2022, marking the club’s faith in his potential, and began to train regularly with the senior squad as well as gaining valuable experience in the Premier League 2 as well as in cup competitions.
His performances at both Poole and youth level then saw him step up to the National League South with a loan to Weymouth, with his time with the Terras proving to be fruitful, earning more regular minutes and developing his ability to balance his defensive duties with his attacking determination from left back.
This preceded a successful 2023/24 campaign with the Cherries’ youth team, playing 27 times for the development squad during and helping Alan Connell’s side seal a third-place finish in the Professional Development League South Group, in their inaugural campaign as a category two academy, before ending the campaign out on loan once more.
Returning to the Southern League, Boutin joined Gosport Borough where he continued his development in a senior environment, before being trusted with the bigger challenge at Eastleigh in 2024.
Indeed, to further his growth, Bournemouth sent him on loan to the National League side ahead of the 2024/25 season, initially on a deal until January. The young left back added crucial experience at his highest level of senior football so far, and impressed during his short-term stint at the Silverlake Stadium. He initially joined a Spitfires side who were top of the league after three games, and after seeing his loan extended until the end of the season, went on to play 34 times as they ended the campaign 13th in the division.
