Elijah Adekugbe
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Elijah Adekugbe
| fullname =
| image = Elijah Adekugbe.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Adekugbe in 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|4|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = London, England
| height = {{height|m=1.75}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = York United
| clubnumber = 8
| youthyears1 = 2000–2004
| youthclubs1 = Manchester City
| youthyears2 = 2004–2011
| youthclubs2 = Calgary Foothills
| youthyears3 = 2011–2012
| youthclubs3 = Vancouver Whitecaps FC
| youthyears4 = 2012–2014
| youthclubs4 = Calgary Foothills
| collegeyears1 = 2014–2016
| college1 = Trinity Western Spartans
| collegecaps1 = 44
| collegegoals1 = 9
| years1 = 2015–2018
| clubs1 = Calgary Foothills
| caps1 = 36
| goals1 = 6
| years2 = 2019–2022
| clubs2 = Cavalry FC
| caps2 = 48
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2023–
| clubs3 = York United
| caps3 = 42
| goals3 = 1
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| club-update = October 27, 2024
| ntupdate =
}}
Elijah Adekugbe (born 26 April 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays for York United in the Canadian Premier League.
Early life
Adekugbe was born in London, England,{{cite web|url=https://movementbynm.com/the-overcomer/|title=The Overcomer|first=Korede|last=Afolabi|work=Movement by NM|date=21 September 2022 }} and grew up in Manchester. In 2000, Adekugbe joined the Manchester City Academy, where he played until 2004.{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504224406/https://www.whitecapsfc.com/youth/eliteteams/residency/elijah-adekugbe|archive-date=May 4, 2019|url-status=dead|url=https://www.whitecapsfc.com/youth/eliteteams/residency/elijah-adekugbe|title=Elijah Adekugbe Vancouver Whitecaps profile}} In 2004, he moved to Calgary, Canada with his family and joined the Calgary Foothills SC.{{cite web|url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/soccer/midfielder-elijah-adekugbe-looks-to-shine-with-cavalry-fc|title=Midfielder Elijah Adekugbe looks to shine with Cavalry FC|date=March 17, 2019|first=Zach|last=Laing|work=Calgary Sun}} As the U12 level, Adekugbe represented Western Canada at the Danone Nations Cup and also played for the Alberta provincial team from U13 to U15 level. In September 2011, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy. Two years later, he returned to the Calgary Foothills at U16 level.{{cite web|url=http://calgaryfoothillssoccer.com/pub/docs/Player%20Mentorship%20Program.pdf|title=The Player Mentorship Program|page=10|work=Calgary Foothills FC}}
University career
Adekugbe received a soccer scholarship with Trinity Western University, playing for the men's soccer team from 2014 to 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://gospartans.ca/sports/mens-soccer/roster/elijah-adekugbe/317|title=Elijah Adekugbe Trinity Western profile|work=Trinity Western Spartans}} He scored his first goal on September 6, 2014 against the Victoria Vikes.{{Cite web|url=https://gospartans.ca/news/2014/9/6/9_6_2014_729.aspx|title=Spartans comeback falls short|date=September 6, 2014|work=Trinity Western Spartans}} On October 3, 2015, he scored a late second half free kick to salvage a 1-1 draw against the UBC Okanagan Heat.{{cite web|url=https://gospartans.ca/news/2015/10/3/10_3_2015_757.aspx|date=October 3, 2015|work=Trinity Western Spartans|title=Adekugbe scored on late set piece to salvage draw for Spartans}} On August 27, 2016, he scored two goals against the UNBC Timberwolves.{{cite web|url=https://gospartans.ca/news/2016/8/27/8_27_2016_786.aspx|title=Adekugbe scored twice in convincing win over UNBC|work=Trinity Western Spartans|date=August 27, 2016}} After the 2016 season, he was named a Canada West First Team All-Star.{{cite web|work=Trinity Western Spartans|url=https://gospartans.ca/news/2016/11/3/11_3_2016_813.aspx|title=Adekugbe named Canada West First Team All-Star|date=November 3, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.langleyadvancetimes.com/sports/spartan-an-all-star/|title=Spartan an all-star|date=November 4, 2016|work=Langley Advance Times}}
Club career
In 2015, Adekugbe began playing his former youth club Calgary Foothills FC in the Premier Development League. In 2015, he was the team's Golden Boot and MVP winner, as well as the Supporters MVP.{{Cite web|url=https://footsoldierssg.weebly.com/2015---elijah-adekugbe.html|work=Foot Soldiers Supporters Group|title=2015 - Elijah Adekugbe}} In 2016, he served as vice-captain of the team. In June 2016, he was named to the PDL Top 50 Prospects list.{{Cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/soccer/foothills-fcs-elijah-adekugbe-named-to-top-prospects-list|title=Foothills FC's Elijah Adekugbe named to top prospects list|date=June 29, 2016|work=Calgary Herald|first=Daniel|last=Austin}} He missed the entire 2017 season, after suffering an Achilles tendon injury during pre-season.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/how-an-achilles-injury-changed-cavalry-fc-midfielder-elijah-adekugbe-as-a-player-and-a-leader|title=How an Achilles injury changed Cavalry FC midfielder Elijah Adekugbe as a player and a leader|date=December 22, 2018|first=Marty|last=Thompson|work=Canadian Premier League}}{{Cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/soccer/foothills-fc-enter-season-with-target-on-their-back|title=Foothills FC enter season with target on their back|first=Daniel|last=Austin|date=May 6, 2017|work=Calgary Herald}} In 2018, he was named to the PDL All-Western Conference Team{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/news_article/show/938578|title=2018 PDL All-Western Conference Team|date=August 1, 2018|first=Colton|last=Coreschi|work=Premier Development League}} and won the PDL title with the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/calgary/2018/08/06/foothills-pdl-championship-serves-notice-that-canada-has-talented-soccer-players-hc-wheeldon.html|title=Foothills' first-ever championship title proves Canada has talented soccer players, says head coach|work=StarMetro Calgary|date=August 6, 2018|first=Evan|last=Radford}}
In December 2018, Adekugbe signed a professional contract with Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League, ahead of the 2019 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/2018/12/12/cavalry-fc-adds-four-local-players-to-its-canadian-premier-league-roster.html|title=Cavalry FC adds four local players to its Canadian Premier League roster|date=December 12, 2018|work=Toronto Star}} He was named vice-captain of the team in his first season.{{cite web|url=https://aftn.ca/cavalrys-fab-five-the-teams-top-performers-during-the-spring-season/|title=Cavalry's "Fab Five" – the team's top performers during the Spring Season|date=July 5, 2019|work=Away from the Numbers|first=Scott|last=Strasser}} He made his debut in the team's inaugural match on May 4, 2019 against York9 FC.{{Cite web|url=https://aftn.ca/cavalry-fcs-inaugural-starting-11-where-are-they-now/|title=Cavalry FC's inaugural starting 11 – where are they now?|date=May 4, 2022|work=Away from the Numbers|first=Scott|last=Strasser}} He scored his first professional goal on October 5, 2019 in a 2-0 win over the HFX Wanderers.{{Cite web|url=https://aftn.ca/goals-from-unlikely-sources-as-cavalry-fc-shuts-out-hfx-wanderers/|title=Goals from unlikely sources as Cavalry FC shuts out HFX Wanderers|date=October 5, 2019|work=Away from the Numbers|first=Scott|last=Strasser}} He helped the club reach the CPL final, but missed both legs of the final due to injury.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/cavs-adekugbe-on-leading-from-a-distance-its-as-simple-as-talking-to-guys|title=Cavs' Adekugbe on leading from a distance: 'It's as simple as talking to guys'|date=April 10, 2020|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Charlie|last=O'Connor-Clarke}} He was named to the CPL Fan Awards Team of the Year in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/thomas-carducci-earn-fan-awards-nods-as-forge-cavalry-dominate-team-of-the-year|title=Thomas, Carducci earn Fan Awards nods as Forge, Cavs dominate Team of Year|date=December 16, 2019|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Charlie|last=O'Connor-Clarke}} After the season, it was announced he would be returning for the 2020 season.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/joel-waterman-elijah-adekugbe-to-return-for-cavalry-fc-in-2020|title=Joel Waterman, Elijah Adekugbe to return for Cavalry FC in 2020|date=December 19, 2019|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Marty|last=Thompson}} In November 2020, he re-signed with the club.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/cavalry-re-signs-core-quintet-for-2021-carducci-trafford-adekugbe-others|title=Cavalry re-signs core quintet for 2021: Carducci, Trafford, Adekugbe & others|date=November 6, 2020|work=Canadian Premier League}} In April 2021, during pre-season, he tore his Achilles tendon, requiring him to undergo surgery and to miss the entire 2021 season.{{cite web|url=https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/article/elijah-adekugbe-on-the-road-to-recovery|title=Elijah Adekugbe on the Road to Recovery|date=April 16, 2021|work=Cavalry FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/cavalry-fcs-elijah-adekugbe-out-for-2021-cpl-season-with-achilles-injury|title=Cavalry FC's Elijah Adekugbe out for 2021 CPL season with Achilles injury|date=April 16, 2021|work=Canadian Premier League}}{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/cavalry-fc-elijah-adekugbe-injury/|title=Adekugbe To Miss 2021 CPL Season After Achilles Injury|date=April 16, 2021|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}} On May 21, 2022, he scored a stoppage time winning goal over Valour FC in a 2-1 victory.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/video/recap-late-magic-from-cavalry-again-as-elijah-adekugbe-provides-stoppage-time-winner-against-valour|title=Highlights: Late magic from Cavalry again as Elijah Adekugbe provides stoppage time winner against Valour|first=Mitchell|last=Tierney|work=Canadian Premier League|date=May 21, 2022}} After the 2022 season, he departed the club.{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/elijah-adekugbe-departs-cavalry-fc/|title=Elijah Adekugbe Departs Cavalry FC|date=November 5, 2022|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}{{cite web|url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/soccer/original-club-member-elijah-adekugbe-seven-others-leaving-cavalry|title=Original club member Elijah Adekugbe, seven others leaving Cavalry|date=November 8, 2022|work=Calgary Sun}}
In December 2022, Adekugbe joined York United for the 2023 season.{{Cite web|url=https://yorkunitedfc.canpl.ca/article/york-united-fc-announces-signing-of-canadian-midfielder-elijah-adekugbe|title=York United FC announces signing of Canadian midfielder Elijah Adekugbe|date=December 1, 2022|work=York United FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/york-united-elijah-adekugbe/|date=December 1, 2022|title=York United Adds Elijah Adekugbe|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}} On July 26, 2024, he scored his first goal for York United in a 4-1 victory over Atlético Ottawa.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/match-analysis-york-united-make-statement-in-resounding-win-vs-league-leaders-atletico-ottawa|title=Match Analysis: York United make statement in resounding win vs. league leaders Atlético Ottawa|date=July 26, 2024|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Charlue|last=O'Connor-Clarke}} In December 2024, he extended his contract for another season, with a club option for 2026.{{Cite web|url=https://yorkunitedfc.canpl.ca/article/elijah-adekugbe-extends-stay-with-the-nine-stripes|title=lijah Adekugbe extends stay with The Nine Stripes|date=December 5, 2024|work=York United FC}}{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/york-united-elijah-adekugbe-contract-2025/|title=Adekugbe Inks New Deal With York United|date=December 5, 2024|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}
Personal
He is the brother of Canada national team player Sam Adekugbe.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/cavalry-fcs-elijah-adekugbe-returns-to-the-pitch-raring-to-go-the-energys-different-when-youre-back|title=Cavalry FC's Elijah Adekugbe returns to the pitch raring to go: 'The energy's different when you're back'|date=April 1, 2022|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Charlie|last=O'Connor-Clarke}}{{Cite web|url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/soccer/recovering-cavalry-midfielder-adekugbe-inspired-by-brother-sam-and-world-cup-bound-canadians|title=Recovering Cavalry midfielder Adekugbe 'inspired' by brother Sam and World Cup-bound Canadians|first=Todd|last=Saelhof|date=March 28, 2022|work=Calgary Sun}} Adekugbe has also launched a music career, releasing his first EP in 2021, which included a song called "Dream Team" which referenced his club team Cavalry FC and teammates.{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/elijah-adekugbe-dream-team-track/|title=Elijah Adekugbe Drops CPL Hype Track|date=June 25, 2021|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}{{cite web|url=https://yorkunitedfc.canpl.ca/article/these-are-artists-that-built-up-our-culture-elijah-adekugbe-on-his-black-influences|title='These are the artists that built up out culture': Elijah Adekugbe on his black influences|work=York United FC|date=February 28, 2023}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played October 27, 2024}}{{soccerway|elijah-adekugbe/605815}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |Playoffs ! colspan="2" |National cup ! colspan="2" |Continental ! colspan="2" |Total | ||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="5" |Calgary Foothills FC
|2015{{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/2015-stats|title=2015 PDL Player Stats|work=USL League Two}} |rowspan=4|Premier Development League |10 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 4 | ||||
| 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/12473734?subseason=278141|title=Elijah Adekugbe 2016 PDL Stats|work=USL League Two}}
|12 | 2 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 2 | |||
| 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/18029089?subseason=376352|title=Elijah Adekugbe 2017 PDL Stats|work=USL League Two}}
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2018{{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/24767462?subseason=482928|title=Eljah Adekugbe 2018 PDL Stats|work=USL League Two}}
|14 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2" |Total
!36 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 0 | |
| rowspan="5" |Cavalry FC
|2019 |rowspan=4|Canadian Premier League |19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 1 | ||
| 2020
|9 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 1 | ||||
| 2021
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022
|20 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2" |Total
!48 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 3 | |
| rowspan="3"|York United FC
|2023 |rowspan="2"|Canadian Premier League |15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 0 | ||
| 2024
|27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2" |Total
!42 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 1 | |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!126 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 145 | 10 |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|elijah-adekugbe/605815}}
{{York United FC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adekugbe, Elijah}}
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Footballers from London
Category:Footballers from Manchester
Category:Canadian sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Category:English people of Nigerian descent
Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Category:English emigrants to Canada
Category:Naturalized citizens of Canada
Category:Trinity Western Spartans men's soccer players
Category:Calgary Foothills FC players
Category:USL League Two players
Category:Canadian Premier League players
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:York United FC players