Promise David

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Promise David

| full_name = Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu{{Cite web|url=https://www.maltafootball.com/2022/05/10/promise-puts-valletta-in-izibet-fa-trophy-final/|title=Promise puts Valletta in Izibet FA Trophy final - maltafootball.com|date=May 10, 2022}}

| image = Go Ahead Eagles - Royale Union Saint-Gillloise - 53852967055 (Promise David).jpg

| caption = David with Union Saint-Gilloise in 2024

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|7|3}}

| birth_place = Brampton, Ontario, Canada

| height = 1.95 m

| position = Striker

| currentclub = Union Saint-Gilloise

| clubnumber = 12

| youthyears1 = 2012–2016

| youthclubs1 = Toronto FC

| youthyears2 = 2016–2019

| youthclubs2 = Vaughan Azzurri

| youthyears3 = 2019–2021

| youthclubs3 = Trnje

| youthyears4 = 2021–2022

| youthclubs4 = FC Tulsa

| years1 = 2022

| clubs1 = Valletta

| caps1 = 9

| goals1 = 2

| years2 = 2022–2023

| clubs2 = Sirens

| caps2 = 7

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2023

| clubs3 = Nõmme Kalju U21

| caps3 = 19

| goals3 = 22

| years4 = 2023–2024

| clubs4 = Nõmme Kalju

| caps4 = 39

| goals4 = 21

| years5 = 2024–

| clubs5 = Union Saint-Gilloise

| caps5 = 34

| goals5 = 19

| nationalyears1 = 2022

| nationalteam1 = Nigeria U23

| nationalcaps1 = 2

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2025–

| nationalteam2 = Canada

| nationalcaps2 = 2

| nationalgoals2 = 2

| club-update = 19:17, May 25, 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = June 17, 2025

}}

Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu (born July 3, 2001), known as Promise David, is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a striker for Belgian Pro League club Union Saint-Gilloise. A former youth international for Nigeria, he plays for the Canada national team.{{Cite web |last=Nightingale |first=Tom |date=February 21, 2025 |title=Promise David officially files switch from Nigeria to Canada, will be called up by CanMNT |url=https://canadiansoccerdaily.com/2025/02/21/promise-david-officially-files-switch-from-nigeria-to-canada-will-be-called-up-by-canmnt/ |access-date=February 22, 2025 |website=Canadian Soccer Daily |language=en}}

Early life

David began playing football with the youth academy of Toronto FC Academy, before moving to his local club Vaughan Azzurri in 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://soccernet.ng/2024/07/union-sg-aim-for-a-repeat-victor-boniface-operation-with-promise-akinpelu-david-transfer.html|title=Union SG aim for a repeat Victor Boniface operation with Promise Akinpelu David transfer - Soccernet NG|first=Imhons|last=Erons|date=July 1, 2024}} In 2019, he was scouted by the Croatian club Trnje and joined their youth academy. On September 18, 2021, he signed an academy contract with the American club FC Tulsa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ckdmedia.ng/post/the-promising-star-promise-akinpelu|title=The Promising Star: Promise Akinpelu|first=Oluwayemisi Afolabi|last=Adeyanju|date=September 18, 2021|website=CKDmedia}}

Club career

=Malta=

In January 2022, David joined the Maltese club Valletta on a short-term contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ckdmedia.ng/post/fc-valletta-proposes-two-years-extension-contract-for-promise-akinpelu|title=FC Valletta Proposes Two Years Extension Of Contract For Promise David|first=Oluwayemisi Afolabi|last=Adeyanju|date=April 1, 2022|website=CKDmedia}} He scored the goal that got Valletta to the 2021–22 Maltese FA Trophy final, where they finished runners-up. On June 20, 2022, he transferred to Sirens, also in Malta.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofmalta.com/article/canadian-forward-david-promise-moves-sirens-two-year-deal.963062|title=Canadian forward David Promise moves to Sirens on a two-year deal|date=June 20, 2022|website=Times of Malta}}

=Estonia=

File:Promise David Nõmme Kalju.png]]

On February 13, 2023, David moved to Estonia with Nõmme Kalju.{{Cite web|url=https://sport.err.ee/1608884078/nomme-kalju-solmis-kolmeaastase-lepingu-noore-kanada-rundajaga|title=Nõmme Kalju sõlmis kolmeaastase lepingu noore Kanada ründajaga|date=February 13, 2023|website=ERR}} He initially played for the club's reserve team in the Estonian third tier before establishing himself in the first team and scoring seven goals in his inaugural Premium Liiga season.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Ben |date=April 28, 2025 |title=From the Estonian top flight to the Belgian Pro League: Canada’s Promise David’s unlikely route to firing Union St Gilloise towards a first title since 1935 |url=https://onefootball.com/en/news/from-the-estonian-top-flight-to-the-belgian-pro-league-canadas-promise-davids-unlikely-route-to-firing-union-st-gilloise-towards-a-first-title-since-1935-41038659 |access-date= |website=OneFootball |language=}} David credited Kalju's training demands and plyometric exercises as crucial elements in his turnaround.{{Cite news |last=Kloke |first=Joshua |date=February 22, 2025 |title=Promise David makes his pledge to Canada, continuing his rapid ascent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6152079/2025/02/21/promise-david-canada-nigeria-marsch/ |access-date= |work=The New York Times |language= |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Kalvet |first=Madis |date=April 27, 2024 |title=Kohv paneb kasvu kinni ja uni teeb pikemaks ehk Kuidas sirgus kaks aastat armuaega saanud Promise David Eesti kaitsjate hirmuks |trans-title=Coffee stunts growth and sleep makes you taller – how Promise David, who was given two years, became the fear of Estonian defenders |url=https://sport.delfi.ee/artikkel/120288113/kohv-paneb-kasvu-kinni-ja-uni-teeb-pikemaks-ehk-kuidas-sirgus-kaks-aastat-armuaega-saanud-promise-david-eesti-kaitsjate-hirmuks |access-date= |website=Delfi Sport |language=et}} In the following 2024 league season with Kalju, he scored 14 goals and provided three assists in 16 matches.{{Cite web|url=https://rusg.brussels/nl/nieuws/canadese-spits-promise-david-komt-bij-union|title=Canadese spits Promise David komt bij Union|website=RUSG}}

=Belgium=

In July 2024, David signed with Union Saint-Gilloise of the Belgian Pro League, on a three-year contract with an option of a further year.{{Cite web|url=https://soccernet.ng/2024/07/confirmed-canada-born-striker-of-nigerian-origin-joins-union-saint-gilloise.html|title=Confirmed: Canada-born striker of Nigerian origin joins Union Saint-Gilloise - Soccernet NG|first=Imhons|last=Erons|date=July 2, 2024}} He debuted with them as a substitute during the 2024 Belgian Super Cup on July 20, where the club would be eventual 2–1 victors over Club Brugge.{{Cite web|url=https://sport.err.ee/1609402426/promise-david-jai-debuutmangus-kuivale-aga-voitis-belgias-esimese-tiitli|title=Promise David jäi debüütmängus kuivale, aga võitis Belgias esimese tiitli|date=July 21, 2024|website=ERR}} David scored his first goal for his new club on August 10 in a 4–3 away defeat against Westerlo.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/703692/union-st-gilloise-kvc-westerlo |title=KVC Westerlo 4–3 Union St.-Gilloise |publisher=ESPN |date=August 10, 2024}} He concluded the 2024–25 season with 19 goals, including a brace in a 3–1 victory over Gent on the final matchday of the champions' play-offs, securing his club's first league title in 90 years.{{cite web |url=https://getfootballnewsbene.com/promise-david-delivers-union-st-gilloise-their-first-title-since-1935/ |title=Promise David delivers Union St Gilloise their first title since 1935 |publisher=Get Belgian & Dutch Football News |date=May 25, 2025 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/canadian-promise-david-scores-twice-as-union-saint-gilloise-secures-belgian-championship-1.2311989 |title=Canadian David scores twice as Union Saint-Gilloise secures Belgian Championship |publisher=TSN |date=May 25, 2025 }}

On 17 June 2025, David signed a new contract with Union Saint-Gilloise, extending his stay with the club until 2029.{{Cite web |title=L’Union Saint-Gilloise prolonge Promise David et réalise le 1er 'coup' de son mercato - RTBF Actus |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/l-union-saint-gilloise-prolonge-promise-david-et-realise-le-1er-coup-de-son-mercato-11563147 |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=RTBF |language=fr}}{{Cite web |last=Belgian |first=Get |last2=read |first2=Dutch Football News·1 min |date=2025-06-17 |title=Union St Gilloise’s Canadian star Promise David signs new deal in Brussels |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/article/union-st-gilloise-canadian-star-113000860.html |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}

International career

= Youth =

David was born in Canada to Nigerian parents.{{Cite web|url=https://nigeriafootball.ng/in-form-striker-promise-david-relishes-flourishing-start-at-sirens-fc-opens-up-on-national-team-choices-abroad/|title=In-Form Striker Promise David Relishes Flourishing Start at Sirens FC, Opens Up on National Team Choices – Abroad|date=July 24, 2022}} In October 2022, he was called up to the Nigeria U23s for a set of 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against the Tanzania U23s.{{Cite web|url=https://eaglestrackerng.com/blogs/transfer-news/18-players-make-dream-team-squad-for-tanzania|title=18 players make Nigeria Dream Team ahead of Tanzania|date=October 20, 2022|website=EaglesTracker}} He debuted with the Nigeria U23s, a 1–1 tie in the first leg with Tanzania U23 on October 22, 2022.{{Cite tweet |user= thenff|number= 1583847631708487680|title=Olympic Eagles player David Promise and Coach Salisu Yusuf’s reaction after 1-1 draw against Tanzania U23 in Dar es Salaam}}

= Senior =

In January 2025, after inquiries from the Nigerian Football Federation, David stated that he was focused on playing for his country of birth, Canada, at senior level.{{Cite web|date=January 28, 2025 |title=Promise David has chosen to play for Canada over Nigeria: report |url=https://canadiansoccerdaily.com/2025/01/28/promise-david-has-chosen-to-play-for-canada-over-nigeria-report/ |access-date=February 1, 2025 |website=Canadian Soccer Daily}}

On February 21, 2025, David's request to switch allegiance to Canada was approved by FIFA.{{Cite web|url=https://canadiansoccerdaily.com/2025/02/21/promise-david-officially-files-switch-from-nigeria-to-canada-will-be-called-up-by-canmnt/|title=Promise David officially files switch from Nigeria to Canada, will be called up by CanMNT|first=Tom|last=Nightingale|date=February 21, 2025|work=Canadian Soccer Daily}} On March 12, 2025, he received his first senior call-up to the Canada national team for the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.{{Cite web |last=Gangué-Ruzic |first=Alexandre |date=2024-03-12 |title=Who is new CanMNT call-up Promise David? What you need to know about the other David tearing up Europe |url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/who-is-new-can-mnt-call-up-promise-david-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-other-david-tearing-up-europe |access-date= |website=OneSoccer}} He made his international debut on June 7, 2025, in a friendly against Ukraine during the 2025 Canadian Shield, scoring his first goal for Canada.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Chris |date=2024-06-07 |title=Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan David lead the way as Canada downs Ukraine 4-2 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7555517 |website=CBC Sports}}

Career statistics

=Club=

Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National cup{{efn\|Includes Maltese FA Trophy, Estonian Cup, Belgian Cup}} !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
Valletta \|2021–22 \|Maltese Premier League \|9	2	5	2	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	14	4
Sirens \|2022–23 \|Maltese Premier League \|7	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	7	0
Nõmme Kalju U21 \|2023{{Cite web\|url=https://jalgpall.ee/voistlused/player/58187\|title=Promise David profile\|work=Estonian Football Association\|language=Estonian}} \|Esiliiga B \|19	22	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	19	22
rowspan="3"\|Nõmme Kalju \|2023 \|Meistriliiga \|23	7	3	6	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	26	13
2024 \|Meistriliiga \|16	14	2	3	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	18	17
colspan="2"\|Total !39	21	5	9	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	44	30
Union SG \|2024–25 \|Belgian Pro League \|34	19	3	4	3{{efn\|One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League}}	1	1{{efn\|Appearance in Belgian Super Cup}}	0	41	24
colspan="3"\|Career total !108	64	13	15	3	1	1	0	125	80

=International=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
Canada \|2025	2	2
colspan="2"\|Total	2	2

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals

Canada

|2025

colspan="2"|Total

:Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each David goal.

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Promise David

!scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

align="center"|1

|{{dts|June 7, 2025}}

|BMO Field, Toronto, Canada

|{{fb|UKR}}

|align="center"|3–0

|align="center"|4–2

|2025 Canadian Shield

align="center"|2

|{{dts|June 17, 2025}}

|BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

|{{fb|HON}}

|align="center"|5–0

|align="center"|6–0

|2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honours

Valletta

Maltese FA Trophy runner-up: 2021–22

Union Saint-Gilloise

Belgian Pro League: 2024–25{{cite web|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/1596868/union-st-gilloise-win-first-league-title-in-90-years|title=Union St-Gilloise win first league title in 90 years|website=Brussels Times|date=May 25, 2025|accessdate=May 29, 2025}}
Belgian Super Cup: 2024