Last Updated on September 15, 2026 by Helena

Ajani “Jay” Fortune is a Trinidad and Tobago international footballer who plays as a midfielder for Atlanta United in Major League Soccer. Born on December 30, 2002, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Fortune grew up in a football-loving family with strong Trinidadian roots. His parents are Andre and Sherry Fortune, while his older brother, Andre “Dre” Fortune II, is also a professional footballer and Trinidad and Tobago international.
Football has been part of Jay’s life for as long as he can remember. His father coached both sons from childhood, while Dre provided Jay with an older brother to watch and compete alongside. Fortune has repeatedly credited his entire family with helping him progress from youth soccer in North Carolina to Atlanta United’s first team.
Who Is Jay Fortune’s Girlfriend?
As of now, Jay Fortune has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. Neither Atlanta United’s official interviews nor reliable coverage of the midfielder identifies a current romantic partner.
Fortune has become increasingly open about his upbringing, parents, brother and interests away from soccer, but he has kept his romantic relationships outside the public spotlight.
For that reason, there is no verified name that should currently be presented as Jay Fortune’s girlfriend. Social-media speculation alone is not enough to establish a relationship without confirmation from Fortune himself or a trustworthy source.
Is Jay Fortune Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Jay Fortune is married.
Recent Atlanta United features discussing his personal life and family do not mention a wife or marriage. His relationship status therefore appears to remain private.
Does Jay Fortune Have Children?
As of now, there is no reliable public information confirming that Jay Fortune has children.
Fortune frequently talks about his parents and brother when discussing the people closest to him, but established club and media sources have not identified him as the father of a son or daughter.
Who Are Jay Fortune’s Parents?
Jay Fortune’s parents are Andre Fortune and Sherry Fortune. Their identities were publicly confirmed when The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that both attended Atlanta United’s match against Charlotte FC in September 2024.
It was a particularly memorable occasion for the family because Jay scored the first MLS goal of his career in Atlanta’s 1-0 victory. Andre and Sherry were among the Atlanta supporters watching from the stands at Bank of America Stadium.
Both parents are of Trinidadian background. Jay has explained that his mother and father are from Trinidad and Tobago, which gave him a close connection to the Caribbean nation despite being born in the United States.
That family heritage eventually influenced his international career, with Fortune choosing to represent Trinidad and Tobago.
Who Is Jay Fortune’s Father, Andre Fortune?
Andre Fortune is Jay Fortune’s father and perhaps the most important football influence in his early life.
Andre is a soccer coach and has served as Director of Football at Inter Development Fútbol. Long before Jay became an MLS professional, his father coached him and his older brother Dre.
Jay has said football was already everywhere around him when he was born. His father was coaching, his older brother was playing, and Jay spent much of his earliest childhood around soccer fields.
By around four years old, Jay was already kicking a ball while watching his father and brother train.
Andre Fortune Was Jay’s First Soccer Coach
Andre Fortune did much more than introduce Jay to the sport. He personally coached his son for years before Jay entered Atlanta United’s academy in 2018.
Fortune has said his father taught him virtually everything he initially knew about soccer. Even after Jay became a professional, Andre continued to provide advice about what went well and what needed improvement.
Their relationship has naturally changed as Jay has grown older. His father is no longer responsible for coaching him every day, but Fortune still turns to him for advice.
Jay has joked that having his father as a coach was enjoyable until he had a bad match, when the drive home could become considerably quieter.
Jay Fortune Trained With His Father and Brother
Some of Jay Fortune’s most important childhood development happened alongside his father and older brother.
Fortune has recalled spending early mornings and late nights on soccer fields with Andre and Dre. The three worked extensively on different parts of the game, including finishing around the penalty area.
After signing a new Atlanta United contract in 2026, Jay again remembered those sessions, saying he, his father and brother spent hours practicing finishing from different areas.
Those repetitions eventually became part of the attacking ability Fortune brought to the professional game.
Andre Fortune Still Advises His Son
Even after Jay reached Major League Soccer, Andre continued following his performances closely.
In an interview with The Atlanta Voice, Andre explained that he watches his son play every week and communicates with him before and after matches.
Jay similarly acknowledged that his father continues teaching him while understanding when to behave as a parent rather than attempting to replace Atlanta United’s professional coaching staff.
That balance appears to have allowed their football relationship to continue long after Andre stopped being Jay’s official coach.
Who Is Jay Fortune’s Mother, Sherry Fortune?
Sherry Fortune is Jay Fortune’s mother. She has maintained a more private profile than her husband and sons but has nevertheless had an important influence on Jay’s personality and values.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting identified Sherry alongside Andre when the couple attended the 2024 match in Charlotte where Jay scored his first MLS goal.
Jay has also directly credited his mother with influencing his approach toward helping other people.
When discussing his extensive involvement in Atlanta United’s community programs, Fortune said his mother has always been someone who attempts to help others, even when they may not ask for assistance.
How Sherry Fortune Influenced Jay’s Community Work
Fortune has become one of Atlanta United’s most active players in community outreach.
His work has included participating in youth soccer clinics, visiting children in hospitals and supporting Atlanta United Unified, a program involving athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
When discussing why giving back is so important to him, Fortune pointed partly to the example provided by his mother.
He described Sherry as someone who consistently looks for ways to assist people, an attitude Jay has attempted to carry into his own life as a professional athlete.
Jay Fortune’s Parents Are From Trinidad and Tobago
Although Jay was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, both of his parents come from Trinidad and Tobago.
Fortune confirmed this himself while explaining what being Trinidadian means to him. He said the culture and people are among his favorite aspects of his heritage and noted that representing the country internationally is especially meaningful because his parents are from there.
The Fortune household maintained strong Trinidadian traditions while Jay and his brother were growing up in the United States.
That environment meant the brothers had a strong understanding of Trinidadian culture despite being American-born.
Trinidadian Culture in the Fortune Family Home
Jay’s older brother Dre has provided additional insight into their upbringing.
He recalled waking up to soca music on weekends and helping their mother prepare doubles when the brothers were home.
Dre said people were sometimes surprised by how deeply the brothers understood Trinidadian culture because they had been born and raised in the United States.
The cultural environment established by Andre and Sherry ultimately became significant when both sons chose to represent Trinidad and Tobago internationally.
Does Jay Fortune Have Siblings?
Yes. Jay Fortune has an older brother named Andre “Dre” Fortune II.
Dre is approximately six years older than Jay and is also a professional midfielder. Like his younger brother, he chose to represent Trinidad and Tobago internationally despite being born in North Carolina.
The brothers share an unusually strong football connection because both were trained by their father before progressing into professional soccer.
Dre is the only sibling consistently identified in reliable public reporting.
Who Is Jay Fortune’s Brother Dre Fortune?
Andre “Dre” Fortune II was born on July 3, 1996, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He developed through youth soccer in the United States before establishing a professional career as a midfielder.
Dre has represented clubs including North Carolina FC and Memphis 901 FC in the United States and later continued his career abroad.
He enjoyed notable success in Estonia with Nõmme Kalju FC, where he became an important attacking midfielder and earned Player of the Month recognition in the country’s top division.
His career provided Jay with a professional example inside his own household before the younger brother had reached Atlanta United’s senior team.
Dre Fortune Also Represents Trinidad and Tobago
Just like Jay, Dre Fortune became a Trinidad and Tobago international.
Dre made his senior international debut in 2019. He later formed part of Trinidad and Tobago’s squad for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Jay followed his brother into senior international football, making his Trinidad and Tobago debut in January 2021 at the age of 18.
He later scored his first international goal during the 2023 Gold Cup against Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The brothers becoming senior internationals made the Fortune family’s connection with Trinidadian football even stronger.
How Close Are Jay and Dre Fortune?
Jay and Dre appear to have a particularly close relationship.
Dre has said that he communicates with his parents and brother every day and that he and Jay continually support each other.
The older brother described the possibility of eventually playing alongside Jay for Trinidad and Tobago as something that would be “surreal” because both followed similar international pathways.
Their relationship goes back to childhood, when Jay spent countless hours watching Dre train with their father before eventually becoming old enough to participate himself.
Dre Was One of Jay Fortune’s First Football Inspirations
Jay Fortune has specifically identified his father and older brother as early football inspirations.
Before he watched international superstars with the intention of copying their game, he was watching soccer inside his own family.
Dre was already training and competing while Jay was still very young, giving his younger brother an example to follow.
By the time Jay entered Atlanta United’s academy, soccer had already been part of his family environment for virtually his entire life.
A Football Family From Raleigh
The Fortune brothers grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their father’s involvement in coaching meant that soccer was more than simply a weekend activity for the household.
Andre worked with both sons and numerous other young players in the region, while Jay and Dre spent countless hours developing their skills.
One story from Jay’s childhood illustrates how early his talent was visible. His father recalled taking him to a training environment in Manchester, England, when Jay was only around six or seven.
Even while wearing boots that were too large because his own pair had been left behind, Jay performed well enough during a session with older children to attract attention from academy coaches watching nearby.
Jay Fortune’s Family Supported His Move to Atlanta
Fortune eventually had to leave his family environment in North Carolina to pursue his career.
He joined the Atlanta United Academy in 2018, moving away from home as a teenager.
The transition required sacrifices from both Jay and his family. Atlanta United has subsequently highlighted his development as an example of the pathway from its academy through Atlanta United 2 and into the MLS first team.
Fortune has repeatedly said his parents and brother provided the support structure he needed through difficult periods, including injuries and competition for playing time.
Family Helped Jay Fortune Through Difficult Moments
After signing a long-term Atlanta United extension in August 2026, Fortune reflected on the challenges he encountered during his development.
He mentioned hard work, sacrifices and days when motivation was difficult, but emphasized that his family remained beside him.
Jay specifically mentioned his mother, father and brother when describing the people who supported him throughout the journey.
That backing helped Fortune progress from Atlanta United 2 to becoming an established first-team player.
Jay Fortune’s First MLS Goal Was a Family Moment
One of the most memorable moments in Fortune’s professional career came on August 31, 2024, when Atlanta United played Charlotte FC.
Fortune struck from long range to score the only goal of Atlanta’s 1-0 victory. It was his first goal in Major League Soccer.
The moment became particularly special because Andre and Sherry Fortune were inside Bank of America Stadium to watch it happen.
After years of driving their son to training, coaching him and supporting his move away from home, his parents were able to see him reach another major professional milestone relatively close to where the family had raised him in North Carolina.
Jay Fortune’s Family and Trinidad and Tobago
Fortune’s decision to represent Trinidad and Tobago is deeply connected to his parents and family upbringing.
Although born in the United States, Jay grew up surrounded by Trinidadian culture and was eligible to represent the Caribbean nation through his parents.
He represented Trinidad and Tobago at U-17 level before making his senior debut in 2021.
His brother had already represented the country, meaning both Andre and Sherry eventually watched two sons become Trinidad and Tobago internationals.
Jay Fortune’s Career With Atlanta United
Fortune entered Atlanta United’s academy in 2018 and made his professional debut for Atlanta United 2 in 2020.
He later became captain of the second team before Atlanta United signed him as a Homegrown player.
Fortune made his MLS debut against Charlotte FC on March 11, 2023 and gradually established himself as an increasingly important member of Atlanta’s midfield.
His development continued over the following seasons, and Atlanta United rewarded him with another contract extension in August 2026.
Jay Fortune’s New Atlanta United Contract
Atlanta United announced in August 2026 that Fortune had signed a new contract running through the 2028-29 season, with a club option for 2029-30.
The club praised not only his improvement as a midfielder but also his professionalism and growing leadership qualities.
Fortune used the occasion to acknowledge his family again, emphasizing how important their support had been throughout the long process of becoming an established MLS player.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jay Fortune’s Family
What is Jay Fortune’s real name?
Jay Fortune’s full first name is Ajani. He is commonly known professionally as Jay Fortune.
Who is Jay Fortune’s girlfriend?
As of now, Jay Fortune has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend through a reliable source. His romantic life remains private.
Is Jay Fortune married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Jay Fortune is married.
Does Jay Fortune have children?
There is no reliable public information confirming that Jay Fortune has children.
Who are Jay Fortune’s parents?
Jay Fortune’s parents are Andre Fortune and Sherry Fortune. Both are of Trinidadian background and raised Jay and his older brother in North Carolina.
Who is Jay Fortune’s father?
His father is Andre Fortune, a soccer coach and Director of Football at Inter Development Fútbol. Andre coached Jay and his older brother during their childhood.
Who is Jay Fortune’s mother?
His mother is Sherry Fortune. Jay has credited her caring personality with influencing his own commitment to community outreach.
Does Jay Fortune have siblings?
Yes. Jay has an older brother named Andre “Dre” Fortune II.
Who is Jay Fortune’s brother?
Dre Fortune is a professional midfielder who has played in the United States and Europe and has also represented Trinidad and Tobago at senior international level.
Are Jay and Dre Fortune brothers?
Yes. Dre is Jay Fortune’s older brother. They grew up training together under their father Andre in North Carolina.
Did Jay Fortune’s father play professional soccer?
Reliable sources primarily identify Andre Fortune as a coach rather than documenting a major professional playing career. He coached both of his sons and later became Director of Football at Inter Development Fútbol.
Are Jay Fortune’s parents Trinidadian?
Yes. Fortune has personally confirmed that both of his parents are from Trinidad and Tobago. Their heritage played an important role in his connection with the country.
Where was Jay Fortune born?
Jay Fortune was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, on December 30, 2002.
Why does Jay Fortune play for Trinidad and Tobago?
Fortune was born in the United States but qualified for Trinidad and Tobago through his parents. He grew up strongly connected to Trinidadian culture and chose to represent the country internationally.

Helena Lena Jessica Da Laila is a football writer covering Spanish women’s football, with a focus on Liga F, tactical trends, and emerging talents shaping the women’s game in Spain.
