Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun is now the joint-highest-scoring English player in Ligue 1 history, after yet another goal at the weekend.

Reims' English forward Folarin Balogun (L) fights for the ball with Lens' French defender Jonathan Gradit during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Stade de Reims at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, northern France on May 12, 2023. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ English forward Folarin Balogun (L) fights for the ball with Lens’ French defender Jonathan Gradit during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Stade de Reims at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, northern France on May 12, 2023. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)

When Folarin Balogun scored a penalty for Reims against Lens on Friday night, he hit the 20-goal milestone for his loan spell in all competitions.

19 of those goals came in Ligue 1, which draws Balogun level with fellow Englishman Frederick Kennedy, who scored 19 league goals in France back in 1935/36!

If Balogun can score one more goal before the end of the season, All Nigeria Soccer report that he’ll become the outright highest-scoring English player in Ligue 1 history.

Admittedly, Fred Kennedy’s season had the advantage of ending with a league and cup double, as Racing Club de France won their one and only Ligue 1 title, as well as their first of five Coupe de France trophies.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

By comparison, Reims went out of the Coupe de France at the last-16 stage and sit 11th in Ligue 1.

But that just underlines how impressive it’s been for Balogun to rack up so many goals. He’s not playing for one of the country’s top teams this season, but he’s found a way to keep scoring all the same.

Reims' midfielder Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Nantes at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims, northern France on November 6, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims’ midfielder Folarin Balogun celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Nantes at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims, northern France on November 6, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)

On the day, the game didn’t end as planned, with Lens rallying to win 2-1 despite going behind and having a man sent off.

Lens are one of France’s top teams this year, and they’re well on their way to securing Champions League qualification for next season.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news