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 Arsenal, making his senior debut in 2013. Whilst at Arsenal, he had loan periods with English clubs Brentford, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Brighton and Belgian club Sint-Truiden. In 2018, he signed for Greek club PAOK for an undisclosed fee. After a successful spell at PAOK, he moved to Middlesbrough in 2020. In 2021, he returned to PAOK on loan. He is considered a club icon at PAOK, being a vital part in the double-winning squad of 2018–19, scoring crucial goals, including the only goal in the 2019 Greek Cup Final.
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.
International career
On 15 February 2011, Akpom made his debut for England U16s in a friendly match against Slovenia, which ended in a 0–0 draw. He second and final game for the U16s came in a 3–0 2010/11 Victory Shield win over Northern Ireland on 23 March 2011. On 2 August 2011, Akpom made his U17 debut, scoring once in 4–0 win over the Faroe Islands. He played in all six games and scored two goals during England’s unsuccessful 2012 European U17 Championship qualifying campaign. He made 13 appearances in total for the U17s, and scored five goals. On 6 September 2012, Akpom made his England U19 debut in a 3–1 defeat to Germany. He scored his first goal for the U19s on 26 September 2012, in a 3–0 2013 European U19 Championship qualifying win over Estonia. Two days later, he scored two goals in a 6–0 win over the Faroe Islands. He played in five of England’s six 2013 European U19 Championship qualifying and elite stage games and scored three goals, as England failed to qualify for the finals.
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. 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. 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.
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.
Akpom was selected for the England under-21s for the UEFA European Championship qualifier against Norway on Tuesday 6 September 2016.
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.
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.”
Parents and family
Chuba Amechi Akpom was born on the 9th day of October 1995 to Patience Akpom (mother) and Azu Akpom (father). His birthplace is Canning Town, London, England.
He was born into a marital union between his Dad, Azu Akpom, and Mum, Patience Akpom.
His parents are of Igbo origin from Nigeria.
Partner/ Wife
Chuba Akpom is currently single and not in an open relationship for now.
Is Chuba Akpom married?: No, Chuba Akpom is at the moment not yet married.
Children
Chuba Akpom has a son who was born in 2021. But the mother of his child still remain a mystery.
Net worth
Chuba Akpom has an estimated net worth of around $3.5 million – $10 million.
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