Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu (born 3 July 2001), known as Promise David, is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Belgian First Division A club Union Saint-Gilloise. Born in Canada, he is a youth international for Nigeria.

Promise David
Personal information
Full name Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu[1]
Date of birth (2001-07-03) 3 July 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Height 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Union Saint-Gilloise
Number 12
Youth career
2012–2016 Toronto FC Academy
2016–2019 Vaughan Azzurri
2019–2021 NK Trnje
2021–2022 FC Tulsa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Valletta FC 9 (2)
2022–2023 Sirens FC 7 (0)
2022–2024 Nõmme Kalju 39 (21)
2024– Union Saint-Gilloise 0 (0)
International career
2022 Nigeria U23 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:32, 22 July 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 02:32, 22 July 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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David began playing football with the youth academy of Toronto FC Academy, before moving to his local club Vaughan Azzurri in 2016.[2] In 2019, he was scouted by the Croatian club Trnje and joined their youth academy. On 18 September 2021, he signed an academy contract with the American club Tulsa.[3]

In January 2022, David joined the Maltese club Valletta on a short-term contract.[4] He scored the goal that got Valletta to the 2021–22 Maltese FA Trophy final, where they finished runners-up.[1] On 20 June 2022, he transferred to Sirens, also in Malta.[5] On 13 February 2023, he moved to Estonia with Nõmme Kalju.[6] In his last season in the Meistriliiga with Kalju he scored 14 goals and provided 3 assists in 16 matches.[7]

On 2 July 2024, he signed with Union Saint-Gilloise on a 3+1 year contract in the Belgian First Division A.[8] He debuted with them as a substitute for the 2024 Belgian Super Cup on 20 July 2024, and in doing helped his club win the trophy in a 2–1 win over Club Brugge.[9]

International career

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David was born in Canada to Nigerian parents.[10] 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.[11] He scored on his debut with the Nigeria U23s, a 1–1 tie in the first leg with Tanzania U23 on 22 October 2022.[12]

Honours

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Union Saint-Gilloise

References

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  1. ^ a b "Promise puts Valletta in Izibet FA Trophy final - maltafootball.com". May 10, 2022.
  2. ^ Erons, Imhons (July 1, 2024). "Union SG aim for a repeat Victor Boniface operation with Promise Akinpelu David transfer - Soccernet NG".
  3. ^ Adeyanju, Oluwayemisi Afolabi (September 18, 2021). "The Promising Star: Promise Akinpelu". CKDmedia.
  4. ^ Adeyanju, Oluwayemisi Afolabi (April 1, 2022). "FC Valletta Proposes Two Years Extension Of Contract For Promise David". CKDmedia.
  5. ^ "Canadian forward David Promise moves to Sirens on a two-year deal". Times of Malta. June 20, 2022.
  6. ^ "Nõmme Kalju sõlmis kolmeaastase lepingu noore Kanada ründajaga". ERR. February 13, 2023.
  7. ^ "Canadese spits Promise David komt bij Union". RUSG.
  8. ^ Erons, Imhons (July 2, 2024). "Confirmed: Canada-born striker of Nigerian origin joins Union Saint-Gilloise - Soccernet NG".
  9. ^ "Promise David jäi debüütmängus kuivale, aga võitis Belgias esimese tiitli". ERR. July 21, 2024.
  10. ^ "In-Form Striker Promise David Relishes Flourishing Start at Sirens FC, Opens Up on National Team Choices – Abroad". July 24, 2022.
  11. ^ "18 players make Nigeria Dream Team ahead of Tanzania". EaglesTracker. October 20, 2022.
  12. ^ @thenff (October 22, 2022). "Olympic Eagles player David Promise and Coach Salisu Yusuf's reaction after 1-1 draw against Tanzania U23 in Dar es Salaam" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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