Chuba Akpom – Footballer
| Stage Name: | Chuba Akpom |
| Real Name: | Chuba Amechi Akpom |
| Occupation: | Athlete (Footballer) |
| Date Of Birth/Age: | 9th October 1995 (29 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Canning Town, London, United Kingdom |
| Gender: | Male |
| Nationality: | British Nigerian |
| Marital Status: | Not Married |
| Education: | St Bonaventure’s – East Ham |
| Known for: | Football |
Chuba Amechi Akpom, born on October 9, 1995, in London, is a professional footballer renowned for his striking skills. He currently plays for Eredivisie club Ajax, adding to a career that has seen him traverse various clubs and countries.
Early Life and Beginnings
Chuba Amechi Akpom was born in London to Nigerian parents, and he is a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Nigeria. His journey into the world of football began at the tender age of six when he joined the youth ranks of Arsenal, one of England’s most prestigious football clubs.
Club Career
Arsenal Days
Akpom joined Arsenal at the age of six. He made his debut for the Arsenal U18 side at just 15 years old and signed his first professional contract with Arsenal on October 10, 2012, a day after turning 17. His senior debut for Arsenal came in a Premier League win over Sunderland on September 14, 2013. He scored his first competitive goal for Arsenal in the League Cup third round tie away to West Bromwich Albion on September 25, 2013. During his time at Arsenal, Akpom also had loan spells with several clubs.
Brentford (Loan)
Akpom spent time on loan at League One side Brentford. His loan spell at Brentford was marked by a promising start but was cut short due to injuries in the Arsenal squad. Despite this, he managed to make a significant impact during his brief time there.
Coventry City (Loan)
He also spent time on loan at League One side Coventry City, where he made six appearances, gaining valuable experience in senior-level football.
Return to Arsenal
Upon his return to Arsenal, Akpom continued to develop. He scored a hat-trick for Arsenal in an Under-21 Premier League Division 2 game against West Bromwich Albion at the end of August 2014. He made several appearances for Arsenal, contributing to the team’s success in various competitions.
Nottingham Forest (Loan)
Akpom joined Championship club Nottingham Forest on loan in March 2015, making seven appearances during his loan spell.
Hull City (Loan)
On August 4, 2015, Akpom joined Championship side Hull City on a season-long loan. During his time at Hull City, Akpom made 42 appearances and scored 7 goals. His notable contribution came in the 2016 FA Cup match away to Bury, where he scored his first senior hat-trick.
Brighton (Loan)
In January 2017, Akpom joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan until the end of the season. His contribution helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League.
Sint-Truiden (Loan)
On January 31, 2018, Akpom joined Belgian First Division A side Sint-Truiden on loan until the end of the season. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 victory against Anderlecht on February 17, 2018.
PAOK
On August 2, 2018, Akpom joined Greek Super League club PAOK Salonika on a three-year deal. He quickly became an integral part of the team, known for his scoring prowess. His most memorable moment at PAOK came when he scored the only goal in PAOK’s 2019 Greek Cup Final win against AEK Athens.
Middlesbrough
On September 19, 2020, Akpom signed for English club Middlesbrough for a fee of £2.75m. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his Middlesbrough debut in a 1–1 draw with QPR on September 26, 2020. He returned to Middlesbrough in August 2021 on loan from PAOK and continued to shine. His outstanding performance earned him several accolades, including being the EFL Championship’s top scorer in the 2022-2023 season with 28 goals in 40 league appearances. He also won the Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards.
Ajax
On August 16, 2023, Akpom signed for Dutch Eredivisie club Ajax on a five-year contract. He made his debut on September 3, 2023, in a 0–0 draw away at Fortuna Sittard. His first goal for the club came in a 2–0 win over Volendam on November 2, 2023.
International Career
Akpom has represented England at various youth levels. However, in September 2019, he announced his decision to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria. This came after several formal approaches by the Nigeria Football Federation. His decision was based on his desire to represent his Nigerian heritage. He has played alongside people like Kelechi Iheanacho, and Alex Iwobi.
Honours
Throughout his career, Akpom has earned numerous honors and awards, including the PFA Championship Player’s Player of the Year and EFL Championship Player of the Season in 2022–23. He was also included in the EFL Championship Team of the Season and the PFA Team of the Year in the same season. His remarkable performances and contributions have solidified his place as one of the most promising footballers of his generation.
Wife and Kids
Chuba Akpom keeps his personal life private, but it is known that he is in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Paige Dieffenbach. The couple has been together for several years and has two children, a son named Cruz and a daughter named Aria. Akpom is known to be a devoted father and often shares moments with his family on social media. Despite his busy schedule as a professional footballer, he prioritizes his family life and values the support and love they bring him. Akpom’s personal life is a testament to his commitment to his loved ones and his ability to balance his career and family responsibilities.
Chuba Akpom Net Worth
Chuba Akpom is a Nigerian-born English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Middlesbrough and the Nigeria national team. His net worth is estimated to be around £2.5 million (approximately ₦1.4 billion). Akpom has accumulated his wealth through his successful football career, playing for top clubs like Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Middlesbrough, as well as receiving compensation from endorsement deals and national team appearances. His net worth is expected to continue growing as he remains an active and skilled player in the football world.
Chuba Akpom Career Statistics
As of 2023, he has made 344 appearances, scoring 104 goals and providing 43 assists across various clubs, including Arsenal, Brentford, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Middlesbrough. At the international level, Akpom has represented England at the U16, U17, U19, and U21 levels before switching to Nigeria, earning 4 caps, scoring 1 goal, and contributing 1 assist. His career statistics showcase his consistency, goal-scoring ability, and creative playmaking, making him a valuable asset to his teams. If you would like to connect with him you can find him on Instagram.