*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 September 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17 November 2020
Peniel Kokou Mlapa (born 20 February 1991) is a Togolese professional footballer who plays as a striker for K League 2 club Busan IPark .[2] He also holds German citizenship.
Career
Early life and career
Born in Lomé, Togo, Mlapa emigrated to Germany as a young child. He began his youth career with FC Ismaning, but in 1999, he moved to TSV 1860 Munich. He made his debut for 1860's U19 team on 12 September 2008 against 1. FC Heidenheim. Over the 2008–09 season, he made two appearances as a substitute for 1860's reserve side, both of which came in victories, but he remained a regular for the U19s.
1860 Munich
On 17 May 2009, Mlapa made his debut in professional football as a stoppage time substitute against Alemannia Aachen He scored his first senior goal for 1860 on 4 October against St. Paul. In the next game against MSV Duisburg, Mlapa appeared in the starting lineup for the first time and scored again.
1899 Hoffenheim
In the summer of 2010, Mlapa joined the Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, signing a contract through 2013.
He scored his first goal for the club in the DFB-Pokal against Hansa Rostock. In all, Mlapa scored five times in 54 Bundesliga games for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
Borussia Mönchengladbach
In May 2012, Mlapa joined Borussia Mönchengladbach for €3 million. The striker signed a four-year contract.[3]
On 7 October 2009, Mlapa made his debut for the German under-19s as a 90th-minute substitute against Luxembourg. A few weeks later, he was called up to represent Togo in their final world cup qualifier, but he declined this invitation and progressed to the German under-21 squad.
He finally accepted a call-up to the Togo national team for 2017 AFCON qualifiers against Tunisia in March 2016.[5] On 1 June 2017, he made his debut with the Togolese national team, in a 3–0 defeat against Nigeria.[6]
Personal life
The Togolese-born Mlapa acquired German citizenship in his childhood,[7] thus becoming eligible for his adopted home country's national side.
Career statistics
As of match played 5 July 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
^"대전하나시티즌, 장신 공격수 음라파 영입으로 공격력 강화에 방점을 찍다!" [Daejeon Hana Citizen focuses on strengthening offensive power by recruiting tall striker Murapha!]. www.dhcfc.kr (in Korean). 13 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
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