Joel Campbell

Saprissa

Campbell's career began with Saprissa in 2009 before being sent on loan to Puntarenas in January 2011. On 28 July 2011, Costa Rican television reported that Campbell had come to an agreement with Arsenal, after having been discovered by club scout Danny Karbassiyoon. Campbell later said that while he had not yet signed, talks were taking place. On 6 August, Costa Rican media reported that Campbell was set to sign a five-year deal with Arsenal, after rejecting moves to Sevilla and Fiorentina. According to Campbell, he was also approached by Manchester United's Alex Ferguson, who wanted to bring him under Ryan Giggs' mentorship.

Arsenal

On 19 August 2011, Arsenal confirmed that they had signed Campbell, but it was reported eight days later that he had failed to obtain a work permit to enable him to play in England. Campbell finally received that permit in July 2013.

Loan to Lorient

Unable to get a work permit in England, Campbell along with Gilles Sunu both joined French club Lorient, with Campbell moving on loan and Sunu on a permanent transfer. He made his debut for Lorient as a 79th-minute substitute for Grégory Bourillon in the 1–1 draw away to Sochaux, and created the assist for Innocent Emeghara to score and earn Lorient an away point. On 1 October, he scored his first goal for Lorient against Valenciennes in the 2–0 win, Campbell's right-footed shot found the bottom left hand corner of the goal. On 26 October, Campbell scored his…

Campbell was selected for Costa Rica's squad for the 2009 CONCACAF U-17 Championship. He was the team's highest scorer, although he had only two goals in total. That same year, he participated in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria. He was named in the 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championship two years later and tied for top scorer with six goals. Campbell was first called up to the senior team in March 2011, for friendlies with PR China and Argentina. He would juggle cans on the streets of San José. Before the friendlies, he was spotted doing this by national team manager Ricardo La Volpe. In announcing Campbell's inclusion in the squad, La Volpe said, "Who is Messi? Who is Neymar? Gentlemen of the press – I present to you: Campbell. I discovered him playing with cans." Campbell was called up for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States. In their group opener on 5 June at Cowboys Stadium, he replaced Marco Ureña in the 56th minute and a quarter of an hour later volleyed a goal to conclude a 5–0 win over Cuba. In the quarter-finals at the MetLife Stadium, he again came on for Ureña in the second half of extra time; the game went to a penalty shootout in which Campbell netted his attempt but Honduras advanced 4–2. Campbell was part of Costa Rica's squad when they were invited to the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, and started all of their games as they came third in Group A and were eliminated. In their second group game, on 7 July at the Estadio 23 de Agosto in Jujuy,…

Club

As of match played 3 November 2025

International

As of match played 18 November 2025

Scores and results list Costa Rica's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Campbell goal.

Joel Campbell is the son of Humberto Campbell and Roxana Samuels and is of Jamaican descent. He is in a relationship with Maria Fernanda Cascante. He has three siblings by the names of Nekisha, Humberto and Katherine. Campbell is a devout Christian. He says that family is the second pillar in his life, with the first being God. Campbell also recites Psalm 27 before every game.