Elijah Adekugbe

Elijah Adekugbe
Adekugbe in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-04-26) 26 April 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth London, England
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 York United
Number 8
Youth career
2000–2004 Manchester City
2004–2011 Calgary Foothills
2011–2012 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2012–2014 Calgary Foothills
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2016 Trinity Western Spartans 44 (9)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2018 Calgary Foothills 36 (6)
2019–2022 Cavalry FC 48 (3)
2023– York United 42 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 27, 2024

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,[1] and grew up in Manchester.[2] In 2000, Adekugbe joined the Manchester City Academy, where he played until 2004.[3] In 2004, he moved to Calgary, Canada with his family and joined the Calgary Foothills SC.[4] 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.[3] In September 2011, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy.[3] Two years later, he returned to the Calgary Foothills at U16 level.[5]

University career

Adekugbe received a soccer scholarship with Trinity Western University, playing for the men's soccer team from 2014 to 2016.[5][6] He scored his first goal on September 6, 2014 against the Victoria Vikes.[7] On October 3, 2015, he scored a late second half free kick to salvage a 1-1 draw against the UBC Okanagan Heat.[8] On August 27, 2016, he scored two goals against the UNBC Timberwolves.[9] After the 2016 season, he was named a Canada West First Team All-Star.[10][11]

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.[12] In 2016, he served as vice-captain of the team.[5] In June 2016, he was named to the PDL Top 50 Prospects list.[13] He missed the entire 2017 season, after suffering an Achilles tendon injury during pre-season.[14][15] In 2018, he was named to the PDL All-Western Conference Team[16] and won the PDL title with the club.[17]

In December 2018, Adekugbe signed a professional contract with Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League, ahead of the 2019 season.[18] He was named vice-captain of the team in his first season.[19] He made his debut in the team's inaugural match on May 4, 2019 against York9 FC.[20] He scored his first professional goal on October 5, 2019 in a 2-0 win over the HFX Wanderers.[21] He helped the club reach the CPL final, but missed both legs of the final due to injury.[22] He was named to the CPL Fan Awards Team of the Year in 2019.[23] After the season, it was announced he would be returning for the 2020 season.[24] In November 2020, he re-signed with the club.[25] In April 2021, during pre-season, he tore his Achilles tendon, requiring him to undergo surgery and to miss the entire 2021 season.[26][27][28] On May 21, 2022, he scored a stoppage time winning goal over Valour FC in a 2-1 victory.[29] After the 2022 season, he departed the club.[30][31]

In December 2022, Adekugbe joined York United for the 2023 season.[2][32] On July 26, 2024, he scored his first goal for York United in a 4-1 victory over Atlético Ottawa.[33] In December 2024, he extended his contract for another season, with a club option for 2026.[34][35]

Personal

He is the brother of Canada national team player Sam Adekugbe.[36][37] 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.[38][39]

Career statistics

As of match played October 27, 2024[40]
Club Season League Playoffs National cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Calgary Foothills FC 2015[41] Premier Development League 10 4 — — — 10 4
2016[42] 12 2 4 0 — — 16 2
2017[43] 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2018[44] 14 0 4 0 — — 18 0
Total 36 6 8 0 0 0 0 0 44 0
Cavalry FC 2019 Canadian Premier League 19 1 0 0 5 0 — 24 1
2020 9 1 — — — 9 1
2021 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2022 20 1 2 0 0 0 — 22 1
Total 48 3 2 0 5 0 0 0 55 3
York United FC 2023 Canadian Premier League 15 0 0 0 1 0 — 16 0
2024 27 1 2 0 1 0 — 30 1
Total 42 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 46 1
Career total 126 10 12 0 7 0 0 0 145 10

Honours

Calgary Foothills

Individual

  • PDL All-Western Conference Team: 2018

References

  1. ^ Afolabi, Korede. "The Overcomer". Movement by NM.
  2. ^ a b "York United FC announces signing of Canadian midfielder Elijah Adekugbe". York United FC. 1 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Elijah Adekugbe Vancouver Whitecaps profile". Archived from the original on 4 May 2019.
  4. ^ Laing, Zach (17 March 2019). "Midfielder Elijah Adekugbe looks to shine with Cavalry FC". Calgary Sun.
  5. ^ a b c "The Player Mentorship Program" (PDF). Calgary Foothills FC. p. 10.
  6. ^ "Elijah Adekugbe Trinity Western profile". Trinity Western Spartans.
  7. ^ "Spartans comeback falls short". Trinity Western Spartans. 6 September 2014.
  8. ^ "Adekugbe scored on late set piece to salvage draw for Spartans". Trinity Western Spartans. 3 October 2015.
  9. ^ "Adekugbe scored twice in convincing win over UNBC". Trinity Western Spartans. 27 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Adekugbe named Canada West First Team All-Star". Trinity Western Spartans. 3 November 2016.
  11. ^ "Spartan an all-star". Langley Advance Times. 4 November 2016.
  12. ^ "2015 - Elijah Adekugbe". Foot Soldiers Supporters Group.
  13. ^ Austin, Daniel (29 June 2016). "Foothills FC's Elijah Adekugbe named to top prospects list". Calgary Herald.
  14. ^ Thompson, Marty (22 December 2018). "How an Achilles injury changed Cavalry FC midfielder Elijah Adekugbe as a player and a leader". Canadian Premier League.
  15. ^ Austin, Daniel (6 May 2017). "Foothills FC enter season with target on their back". Calgary Herald.
  16. ^ Coreschi, Colton (1 August 2018). "2018 PDL All-Western Conference Team". Premier Development League.
  17. ^ Radford, Evan (6 August 2018). "Foothills' first-ever championship title proves Canada has talented soccer players, says head coach". StarMetro Calgary.
  18. ^ "Cavalry FC adds four local players to its Canadian Premier League roster". Toronto Star. 12 December 2018.
  19. ^ Strasser, Scott (5 July 2019). "Cavalry's "Fab Five" – the team's top performers during the Spring Season". Away from the Numbers.
  20. ^ Strasser, Scott (4 May 2022). "Cavalry FC's inaugural starting 11 – where are they now?". Away from the Numbers.
  21. ^ Strasser, Scott (5 October 2019). "Goals from unlikely sources as Cavalry FC shuts out HFX Wanderers". Away from the Numbers.
  22. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (10 April 2020). "Cavs' Adekugbe on leading from a distance: 'It's as simple as talking to guys'". Canadian Premier League.
  23. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (16 December 2019). "Thomas, Carducci earn Fan Awards nods as Forge, Cavs dominate Team of Year". Canadian Premier League.
  24. ^ Thompson, Marty (19 December 2019). "Joel Waterman, Elijah Adekugbe to return for Cavalry FC in 2020". Canadian Premier League.
  25. ^ "Cavalry re-signs core quintet for 2021: Carducci, Trafford, Adekugbe & others". Canadian Premier League. 6 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Elijah Adekugbe on the Road to Recovery". Cavalry FC. 16 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Cavalry FC's Elijah Adekugbe out for 2021 CPL season with Achilles injury". Canadian Premier League. 16 April 2021.
  28. ^ Jacques, John (16 April 2021). "Adekugbe To Miss 2021 CPL Season After Achilles Injury". Northern Tribune.
  29. ^ Tierney, Mitchell (21 May 2022). "Highlights: Late magic from Cavalry again as Elijah Adekugbe provides stoppage time winner against Valour". Canadian Premier League.
  30. ^ Jacques, John (5 November 2022). "Elijah Adekugbe Departs Cavalry FC". Northern Tribune.
  31. ^ "Original club member Elijah Adekugbe, seven others leaving Cavalry". Calgary Sun. 8 November 2022.
  32. ^ Jacques, John (1 December 2022). "York United Adds Elijah Adekugbe". Northern Tribune.
  33. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlue (26 July 2024). "Match Analysis: York United make statement in resounding win vs. league leaders Atlético Ottawa". Canadian Premier League.
  34. ^ "lijah Adekugbe extends stay with The Nine Stripes". York United FC. 5 December 2024.
  35. ^ Jacques, John (5 December 2024). "Adekugbe Inks New Deal With York United". Northern Tribune.
  36. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (1 April 2022). "Cavalry FC's Elijah Adekugbe returns to the pitch raring to go: 'The energy's different when you're back'". Canadian Premier League.
  37. ^ Saelhof, Todd (28 March 2022). "Recovering Cavalry midfielder Adekugbe 'inspired' by brother Sam and World Cup-bound Canadians". Calgary Sun.
  38. ^ Jacques, John (25 June 2021). "Elijah Adekugbe Drops CPL Hype Track". Northern Tribune.
  39. ^ "'These are the artists that built up out culture': Elijah Adekugbe on his black influences". York United FC. 28 February 2023.
  40. ^ Elijah Adekugbe at Soccerway
  41. ^ "2015 PDL Player Stats". USL League Two.
  42. ^ "Elijah Adekugbe 2016 PDL Stats". USL League Two.
  43. ^ "Elijah Adekugbe 2017 PDL Stats". USL League Two.
  44. ^ "Eljah Adekugbe 2018 PDL Stats". USL League Two.