Chuba Akpom
![]() Akpom with Ajax in 2024 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Chuba Amechi Akpom[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 9 October 1995||
Place of birth |
Newham, England[3] | ||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[4] | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Ajax | ||
Number | 10 | ||
Youth career | |||
2002–2013 | Arsenal | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2013–2018 | Arsenal | 4 | (0) |
2013–2014 | → Brentford (loan) | 4 | (0) |
2014 | → Coventry City (loan) | 6 | (0) |
2015 | → Nottingham Forest (loan) | 7 | (0) |
2015–2016 | → Hull City (loan) | 36 | (3) |
2017 | → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 10 | (0) |
2018 | → Sint-Truiden (loan) | 16 | (6) |
2018–2020 | PAOK | 54 | (14) |
2020–2023 | Middlesbrough | 77 | (33) |
2021–2022 | → PAOK (loan) | 34 | (7) |
2023– | Ajax | 26 | (11) |
International career | |||
2011 | England U16 | 2 | (0) |
2011–2012 | England U17 | 13 | (5) |
2012–2014 | England U19 | 13 | (6) |
2014–2015 | England U20 | 11 | (6) |
2015–2016 | England U21 | 5 | (3) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:23, 19 May 2024 (UTC) |
Chuba Amechi Akpom (born 9 October 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Eredivisie club Ajax.
Akpom began his career at
Born in London to Nigerian parents, Akpom is a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Nigeria. He has represented England at youth and under-21 international levels and in 2019, he announced he switched his international allegiance to represent Nigeria for future games.[6]
Club career
Arsenal
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Chuba_Akpom_Tackled_%2811814706264%29.jpg/170px-Chuba_Akpom_Tackled_%2811814706264%29.jpg)
Akpom joined
Brentford (loan)
On 30 December 2013, it was reported that
He missed the first match of his loan through illness[20] and Warburton stressed that Akpom would have to "work hard and earn his place like everyone else".[21] Akpom made his debut in a 1–1 league draw at Walsall on 19 January.[14] He came on for Will Grigg after 68 minutes and provided a cross for Clayton Donaldson in the dying moments, which went unconverted.[22] After making four substitute appearances, his loan spell ended and he returned to Arsenal.[23] Following the return to Arsenal, Akpom appeared on Arsenal Magazine about his time at Brentford for the March issue.[24]
Coventry City (loan)
On 14 February 2014, Akpom joined
Return to Arsenal
Akpom began the 2014–15 season by scoring a hat trick for Arsenal in an
Nottingham Forest (loan)
On 26 March 2015, he joined
Hull City (loan)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Tigers_Corner_%2823613717040%29.jpg/220px-Tigers_Corner_%2823613717040%29.jpg)
On 4 August 2015, Akpom joined
Brighton (loan)
On 30 January 2017, Akpom joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan until the end of the season.[35] He made 10 appearances where he helped The Albion gain promotion to the Premier League.[36]
Sint-Truiden (loan)
On 31 January 2018, Akpom joined
PAOK
On 2 August 2018, Akpom joined Greek
He scored the only goal in PAOK's
On 6 August 2019, he scored against
Middlesbrough
On 19 September 2020, Akpom signed for English club
On 26 August 2021, PAOK announced the return of Akpom on loan from Middlesbrough until the end of the 2021–22 season.[50]
Upon returning to Middlesbrough, Akpom was informed by, then manager, Chris Wilder that he would train with the Under-21s squad.[51] He was assigned shirt number 29. On 14 August 2022, Akpom was brought back into the match-day squad and scored both goals in a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United.[52]
Chuba continued his fine run of form on Boxing Day 2022 when he netted his first hat-trick for the club in a 4–1 win over Wigan Athletic at the Riverside Stadium.[53] On 5 January 2023, head coach Michael Carrick announced that the club had exercised a twelve-month contract extension with Akpom having scored thirteen goals in twenty matches.[54]
On 4 March 2023, Akpom scored 2 goals in a 5–0 home win against Reading, in the process becoming the first Middlesbrough player to score 20 league goals in a season since Bernie Slaven in 1990.[55] On 19 April 2023 he scored in a 3–1 home win over Hull City, becoming the first player to score in nine successive home games in the second tier of English football.[56][57] In an interview following the game, Akpom described head coach Michael Carrick as "the manager I've been dreaming of my whole career".[58]
By the end of the season, Akpom was the EFL Championship's top scorer with 28 goals in 40 league appearances.[59] He also won Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year awards.[60]
Ajax
On 16 August 2023, Akpom signed for Dutch Eredivisie club Ajax on a five-year contract set to expire in June 2028. He was signed for a transfer fee of €12.3m, potentially rising to €14.3m with add-ons.[61] He made his debut on 3 September 2023 in a 0–0 draw away at Fortuna Sittard.[62] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Volendam on 2 November 2023.[63]
International career
On 15 February 2011, Akpom made his debut for
On 11 October 2014, Akpom scored his first goals for England U20 coming on as an 87th-minute substitute to score a brace against Netherlands U20 in a 3–2 victory.[69] On 13 October 2015, Akpom made his England U21 debut playing 90 minutes and scoring with the last kick of the match in a European qualifying win over Kazakhstan.[70] He scored again for the England U21 team in a UEFA Euro Under-21 Qualifier against Switzerland. England U21 won the match 3–1, with Akpom scoring in the injury time of the second half.[71]
Akpom, who is of Nigerian descent, is still eligible to represent Nigeria. In May 2016, it was reported that he was one of three players formally approached by the Nigeria Football Federation.[72]
Akpom was selected for the England under-21s for the UEFA European Championship qualifier against Norway on Tuesday 6 September 2016.[73]
On 28 March 2017, Akpom was reportedly close to switching to Nigeria alongside Ola Aina of Chelsea after discussions with Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick.[74][75]
In September 2019, he confirmed that he intended to represent Nigeria at international level. In an interview with BBC Sport, he stated: "It was a personal decision. I'm Nigerian and my whole family feel very Nigerian and it will be nice to represent Nigeria."[6]
Career statistics
- As of match played 19 May 2024[76]
Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Arsenal | 2012–13[77] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
2013–14[14] | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||
2014–15[27] | Premier League | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
2016–17[36] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | ||
2017–18[38] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
Total | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | ||
Brentford (loan) | 2013–14[14] | League One | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||||
Coventry City (loan) | 2013–14[14] | League One | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | ||||
Nottingham Forest (loan) | 2014–15[27] | Championship | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||||
Hull City (loan) | 2015–16[33] | Championship | 36 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 1[c] | 0 | 42 | 7 | |
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 2016–17[36] | Championship | 10 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 10 | 0 | ||||
Sint-Truiden (loan) | 2017–18[38] | Belgian Pro League | 16 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 6 | ||||
PAOK | 2018–19 | Super League Greece | 20 | 6 | 8 | 2 | — | 5[d] | 0 | — | 33 | 8 | ||
2019–20 | Super League Greece | 33 | 8 | 6 | 1 | — | 4[e] | 1 | — | 43 | 10 | |||
2020–21 | Super League Greece | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[f] | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | |||
Total | 54 | 14 | 14 | 3 | — | 11 | 1 | — | 79 | 18 | ||||
Middlesbrough | 2020–21[78] | Championship | 38 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 5 | ||
2021–22 | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
2022–23 | Championship | 38 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 0 | 42 | 29 | ||
Total | 77 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 82 | 34 | |||
PAOK (loan) | 2021–22 | Super League Greece | 34 | 7 | 7 | 2 | — | 11[g] | 2 | — | 52 | 11 | ||
Ajax | 2023–24 | Eredivisie | 26 | 11 | 1 | 1 | — | 12[h] | 3 | — | 39 | 15 | ||
Career total | 274 | 74 | 29 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 34 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 349 | 91 |
- ^ Includes FA Cup, Greek Cup, KNVB Cup
- ^ Includes EFL Cup
- ^ a b Appearance in Championship play-offs
- ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Europa Conference League
- ^ Six appearances and three goals in UEFA Europa League, four appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
Honours
Hull City
Brighton & Hove Albion
- EFL Championship runner-up: 2016–17[80]
PAOK
Individual
- PFA Championship Player's Player of the Year: 2022–23
- EFL Championship Player of the Season: 2022–23[83]
- EFL Championship Team of the Season: 2022–23[84]
- PFA Team of the Year: 2022–23 Championship[85]
- EFL Championship Player of the Month: December 2022[87]
- Greek Cup Final Most Valuable Player: 2018–19[88]
- Middlesbrough Player of the Year: 2022–23[89]
- Middlesbrough Players' Player of the Year: 2022–23[89]
References
- ^ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/10/2012 and 31/10/2012". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ "10 Chuba Akpom". Middlesbrough F.C. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ a b c "Young Guns: Chuba Akpom". Arsenal. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom". AFC Ajax. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Arsenal sell striker Akpom to PAOK". ESPN. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Chuba Akpom: Ex-England youth star opts to play for Nigeria". BBC Sport. 25 September 2019.
- ^ "Ahead of the curve". Arsenal. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom signs first professional contract". Arsenal. 10 October 2012. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Akpom, Ansah and Monteiro in Arsenal squad". Arsenal. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Akpom – Tour has left me wanting more". Arsenal. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Indonesia Dream Team 0 – 7 Arsenal". Arsenal. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Vietnam 1 – 7 Arsenal". Arsenal. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Akpom goal sees Gunners to victory". ESPN FC. ESPN. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Chuba Akpom | Football Stats | Arsenal | Season 2013/2014 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Sunderland 1 – 3 Arsenal". Arsenal. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Peterborough United Youth Academy 1 – 6 Arsenal Youth Academy". Arsenal F.C. 6 January 2014.
- ^ a b Murtagh, Jacob (30 December 2013). "Brentford line up loan swoop for Arsenal striker". Get West London.
- ^ Murtagh, Jacob (7 January 2014). "Brentford's bid to sign Arsenal striker in doubt after Walcott injury". Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ a b "Brentford confirm Akpom deal". Get West London. 9 January 2014.
- ^ Chuba Akpom [@cakpom9] (11 January 2014). "Chuba Akpom misses match against Port Vale due to injury" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 September 2014 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Brentford boss fires warning to Arsenal striker". Get West London. 17 January 2014.
- ^ "Record attempt ends but Brentford earn a point". Get West London. 18 January 2014.
- ^ "CHUBA AKPOM RETURNS TO ARSENAL". Brentford F.C. 10 February 2014. Archived from the original on 1 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ^ "CHUBA AKPOM WRITES FOR ARSENAL MAGAZINE". Brentford F.C. 4 March 2014. Archived from the original on 1 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
- ^ "Coventry seal Akpom loan from Arsenal". Coventry City FC. 14 February 2014.
- ^ "Barclays U21s: Akpom hat-trick keeps Arsenal flying high". premierleague.com/. The Premier League. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Chuba Akpom | Football Stats | Arsenal | Season 2014/2015". Soccer Base. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Arsenal 5–0 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom: Arsenal striker signs new contract with club". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Arsenal starlet Chuba Akpom agrees four-and-a-half year extension, shunning Liverpool and Dortmund interest". Daily Mirror.co.uk. 3 February 2015.
- ^ "Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Arsenal's Chuba Akpom on loan until 31 Ma". Nottingham Forest. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Tigers Sign Akpom On Season-Long Loan From Arsenal". Hull City A.F.C. 4 August 2015. Archived from the original on 27 May 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Chuba Akpom | Football Stats | Arsenal | Season 2015/2016". Soccer Base. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom Player Profile – ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom: Arsenal forward joins Brighton & Hove Albion on loan". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- ^ a b c "Chuba Akpom | Football Stats | Arsenal | Season 2016/2017". Soccer Base. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom joins Sint-Truiden on loan from Arsenal". Goal.com. Goal.com. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- ^ a b c "Chuba Akpom | Football Stats | Arsenal | Season 2017/2018". Soccer Base. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Επίσημο: Παίκτης του ΠΑΟΚ ο Ακπόμ". www.to10.gr. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom". Soccerbase. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ "ΠΑΟΚ – Αστέρας Τρίπολης 1–0". www.gazzetta.gr. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
- ^ "ΠΑΟΚ – Παναιτωλικός 2–1". www.gazzetta.gr. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom: Ex-Arsenal forward set to become Greek 'Invincible' with PAOK". BBC Sport. 28 March 2019.
- ^ "ΠΑΟΚ-Λεβαδειακός 5–0: Ομαδάρα δοξασμένη!". www.sportime.gr. 21 April 2019.
- ^ "ΠΑΟΚ-ΑΕΚ: 1–0". www.gazzetta.gr. 11 May 2019.
- ^ "ΠΑΟΚ – Άγιαξ 2–2: Ομάδα όνειρο για ένα ημίχρονο, αλλά έμεινε από "καύσιμα"". www.sport24.gr. 6 August 2019.
- ^ "ΠΑΟΚ – Πανιώνιος 2–1: Αγχωτική νίκη με Σβιντέρσκι". www.sport24.gr. 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Ξάνθη – ΠΑΟΚ 1–1: "Πνίγηκε" στα Πηγάδια". www.sport24.gr. 1 March 2020.
- ^ "Boro Sign Striker Chuba Akpom |". Middlesbrough F.C.
- ^ "Akpom: PAOK sign Middlesbrough forward for second stint". www.goal.com. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "Inside story of Chuba Akpom's Boro transformation - diary, homework & obsession". The Northern Echo. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ FC, Middlesbrough (14 August 2022). "Match Report: Boro 2 Sheffield United 2". Middlesbrough FC. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "Akpom hat-trick helps Middlesbrough thrash Wigan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom: Middlesbrough exercise 12-month contract extension for striker". BBC Sport. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ "Akpom surpasses 20-league goals to help five-star Middlesbrough close the gap on Sheffield Utd". gazettelive.co.uk. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ "Quickfire goals see Boro battle back to beat Hull". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Freeman, Will (20 April 2023). "Middlesbrough boss Carrick has made record-breaking Akpom's dreams come true". The Mirror. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "Championship top scorers 2022/23". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ FC, Middlesbrough (4 May 2023). "Double Recognition For Chuba Akpom At Player Of The Year Awards". Middlesbrough FC. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "Ajax signs Chuba Akpom". Ajax. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ "Fortuna Sittard 0-0 Ajax - Eredivisie 2023/2024 Live".
- ^ "Ajax beat FC Volendam to seal Van 't Schip's first win". Ajax. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ "Stalemate in Slovenia". The Football Association. 15 February 2011. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ a b "Chuba Akpom". The Football Association. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ "Faroes hit for four". The Football Association. 2 August 2011. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Young Lions lose season opener". The Football Association. 6 September 2012. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Jordi gets England started". The Football Association. 26 September 2012. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Super sub Akpom nets twice as U20s stun Holland". The Football Association. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ "Hull City's Chuba Akpom caps England U21s debut with late goal". Hull Daily Mail. 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 14 October 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ "England 3–1 Switzerland". UEFA. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ^ Oluwashina Okeleji (9 May 2016). "Coachless Nigeria chase trio of European players". BBC. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Arsenal's Chuba Akpom called up to England Under-21s squad". The Football Association. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ Oludare, Shina (28 March 2017). "Chelsea's Ola Aina, Brighton and Hove Albion's Chuba Akpom pledge allegiance to Nigeria". Goal Nigeria.
- ^ "Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom set to snub England for Nigeria". The Independent. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "C. Akpom". Soccerway. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom | Football Stats | Arsenal | Season 2012/2013". Soccer Base. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom | Football Stats | Middlesbrough | Season 2020/2021". Soccer Base. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Williams, Adam (28 May 2016). "Hull City 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ISBN 978-1-4722-3397-4.
- ^ "'This moment will stay with me forever' – PAOK's Chuba Akpom delighted after winning Greek title". Goal.com. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
- ^ "Chuba Akpom's goal secures Greek Cup for PAOK". Goal.com. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "Middlesbrough's Chuba Akpom takes Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season". English Football League. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ^ "EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed". English Football League. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ^ "Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ "A look at the Sky Bet EFL Golden Boot and Golden Glove winners". English Football League. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ boldsportsng (13 January 2023). "Chuba Akpom named Championship Player of the Month for December | Bold Sports". boldsportsng.com. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ "Κυπελλούχος ο ΠΑΟΚ" (in Greek). EPO. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Double Recognition For Chuba Akpom At Player Of The Year Awards". Middlesbrough FC. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Profile at the AFC Ajax website
- profile at The Football Association website
- Chuba Akpom at Premier League
- Chuba Akpom at Soccerbase