Emmanuel_Ekong
Emmanuel Ekong
Swedish footballer
Emmanuel Ekong (born 25 June 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Croatian club Istra 1961 on loan from the Italian club club Empoli. Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, he is a Sweden youth international.[1][2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (2002-06-25) 25 June 2002 (age 21) | ||
| Place of birth | Reggio Emilia, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Istra 1961 | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 0000–2015 | Bollstanäs SK | ||
| 2015–2018 | IF Brommapojkarna | ||
| 2018–2022 | Empoli | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021– | Empoli | 3 | (0) |
| 2023 | → Perugia (loan) | 9 | (0) |
| 2023– | → Istra 1961 (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2021 | Sweden U19 | 5 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 November 2023 | |||
As a youth player, Ekong joined the youth academy of Swedish seventh tier side Bollstanäs SK.[3] in 2015, he joined the youth academy of IF Brommapojkarna in the Swedish second tier.[4]
In 2018, he joined the youth academy of Italian Serie A club Empoli.[5] On 5 September 2022, Ekong debuted for Empoli during a 2–2 draw with Salernitana.[6]
In January 2023, Ekong signed for Serie B club Perugia on loan until the end of the season.[7]
On 8 September 2023, Ekong joined Istra 1961 in Croatia on loan with an option to buy.[8]
Born in Italy to Nigerian parents and raised in Sweden, Ekong is eligible to represent Nigeria, Italy and Sweden.[9] He has represented the Sweden U19 team five times, scoring one goal.[10]
Ekong is the son of Nigeria international Prince Ikpe Ekong.[6]
- "Emmanuel Ekong, figlio d'arte che ha già conquistato Empoli". seriebnews.com.
- "EKONG, IL GIOIELLO DELL'EMPOLI". alfredopedulla.com.
- "Emmanuel efter succédebuten". svenskfotboll.se (Archived).
- "Emmanuel Ekong: "Att ha en pappa som tidigare varit proffs är jätteskönt"". fotbolltransfers.com.
- "The Deadly Goalscorer Golden Eaglets Are Searching For Is In Italy". allnigeriasoccer.com.
- "Sigtunabon Emmanuel på landslagsläger". marsta.nu.
- "EKONG È DEL PERUGIA!". www.acperugiacalcio.com (in Italian). 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- "DOBRO NAM DOŠAO EMMANUEL EKONG" [WELCOME EMMANUEL EKONG] (in Croatian). Istra 1961. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- "Nigeria, Sweden & Italy Set To Battle Over International Future Of Juventus Slayer". allnigeriasoccer.com.
- "Emmanuel Ekong - Spelarstatistik - Svensk fotboll". www.svenskfotboll.se. (in Swedish). Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- Emmanuel Ekong at Soccerway
- Emmanuel Ekong at the Swedish Football Association (in Swedish)
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