Jonathan Bru (born 2 May 1985) is a former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. Born in France, he represented France at youth international level before playing for the Mauritius national team. He works as head coach of the Red Star reserves.

Club career

France

Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, Bru played youth football at CS Brétigny, INF Clairefontaine and Stade Rennais. He began his professional career with the latter, making only one Ligue 1 appearance during his spell. In the summer of 2006, Bru moved to FC Istres in Ligue 2, playing nine games in his first year and being relegated.

Cyprus and Portugal

After one season with AEP Paphos FC in the Cypriot First Division, Bru joined Académica de Coimbra in Portugal, appearing in only four official matches in his debut campaign in the Primeira Liga. On 26 July 2010, he signed a one-year deal with Segunda Liga side U.D. Oliveirense, scoring his first goal for his new club on 23 October in a 1–1 home draw against S.C. Freamunde. In August 2011, Bru continued in Portugal's second level, signing with Moreirense FC. He netted his first goal against his former team, the 3–2 game-winner on 2 October (away fixture).

Australia

On 20 June 2012, Bru signed a two-year deal with two-time A-League champions Melbourne Victory FC, as Ange Postecoglou's first import signing. He helped his new team to the preliminary finals in his first year by making 19 out of a possible 29 appearances, but also nearly came to blows with teammate Danny Allsopp after a training ground incident. On 8 January 2014, after spending several weeks training on his own, Bru was released by the Victory. After almost nine months without a club, he returned to Oliveirense and the Portuguese second division.

International career

Bru represented France in almost every youth team, but never made an appearance for the senior side. In June 2009, he told Mauritian newspaper L'Express that he hoped to play one day for Mauritius, since both of his parents were born in the country; this became a reality when Mauritius head coach Akbar Patel called him to the squad for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Bru made his debut on 4 September 2010 in a 3–1 defeat at the hands of Cameroon, scoring the national team's goal through a penalty kick. His second goal came on 5 June of the following year against DR Congo, also for the ACN qualifiers and from the penalty spot. In August 2011, Bru was called up by Mauritius for the 2011 Indian Ocean Island Games, and played in all of the matches en route to the final, a loss to Seychelles on penalties.

Managerial career

In August 2022 Bru was appointed head coach of the reserve team of Paris-based club Red Star.

Personal life

Bru's younger brother, Kévin, is also a football midfielder. He spent most of his career in France – with a lengthy spell in England with Ipswich Town – and also represented Mauritius internationally.

Career statistics

International goals

Honours