Khéphren Thuram-Ulien is a French professional footballer known for his role as a defensive midfielder, currently playing for Serie A club Juventus and representing the France national team.
Born on March 26, 2001, in Reggio Emilia, Italy, he holds French and Guadeloupean citizenship and stands at 1.92 meters tall.
Named after the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Khephren—earning him the nickname “Le Pharaon”—Thuram comes from a prominent footballing family, with his father Lilian Thuram being a legendary defender who won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000.
Growing up immersed in the sport, Khéphren trained at elite academies and made his professional breakthrough in Ligue 1 before transitioning to Italy, where he continues to build on his family’s legacy.
Siblings
Khéphren has one sibling, his older brother Marcus Thuram, a forward who plays for Inter Milan and the France national team.
Born on August 6, 1997, Marcus is four years senior and shares a close bond with Khéphren, often engaging in competitive backyard games during their childhood that influenced their positions on the field—Marcus as an attacker and Khéphren in midfield.
The brothers have faced each other in high-profile Serie A matches, including dramatic derbies between Juventus and Inter, where they traded goals and showcased their sibling rivalry.
Career
Thuram’s professional journey began at AS Monaco’s academy, where he joined in 2016 after impressing at INF Clairefontaine, France’s prestigious youth training center.
He made his senior debut for Monaco on November 28, 2018, at just 17 years old, coming on as a substitute in a UEFA Champions League match against Atlético Madrid, which ended in a 2-0 loss.
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Over his time there, he appeared in three substitute roles before his contract expired in 2019.
Seeking more opportunities, Thuram signed his first professional contract with rivals OGC Nice on June 26, 2019.
He debuted on August 17 in a 2-1 Ligue 1 victory over Nîmes, replacing Ignatius Ganago late in the game.
Establishing himself as a key player, he extended his contract in September 2021 and featured in the 2022 Coupe de France final, though Nice fell 1-0 to Nantes.
During his five seasons with Nice, Thuram played 167 matches, scoring nine goals and providing 11 assists, becoming a mainstay in midfield with his ability to break lines through running and passing.
In the 2022-23 season, he was instrumental in Nice’s campaign, earning a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season as the only player from outside the top three clubs, highlighted by a goal in a 3-0 derby win over former club Monaco.
On July 10, 2024, Thuram transferred to Juventus on a five-year deal worth €20 million, returning to the club where his father had starred.
In his debut season, he adapted to Serie A, scoring a brace in a December 2024 2-2 draw against Fiorentina—making him the third Thuram family member to net in the Italian top flight—and contributing headers in intense matches like the “Thuram Derby” against Inter.
Internationally, he earned his first senior call-up to France and was selected by Thierry Henry for the 2024 Summer Olympics, while also featuring in UEFA Champions League campaigns.
Accolades
Thuram was named to the 2022-23 Ligue 1 Team of the Season during his time at Nice, standing out as the sole representative from a non-top-three club for his consistent midfield performances.
Additionally, he participated in the 2024 Summer Olympics with France’s U23 squad under Thierry Henry, gaining valuable international exposure.
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