English Premier League
Nigeria-eligible Chuba Akpom reveals how he almost quit from professional football
By Monsurah Olatunji
Middlesbrough striker, Chuba Akpom has revealed how he almost quit playing football when things were not working out for him as he planned earlier in his career.
The current Championship Player of the Season had incredible goal-scoring exploits throughout the season which saw him net an impressive 28 goals in the Championship, making him the division’s leading goal scorer.
The Nigeria hopeful played for Championship sides including Brentford, Coventry City, Nottingham Forest, Hull City and Brighton then play for Belgium side St. Truiden, as he enjoyed several loan spells since Arsenal in 2013.
However, the appointment of Manchester United legend Micheal Carrick by Middlesbrough begins a new turnaround chapter for the Nigerian as the 28-year-old opened up on his possible career-ending frustration.
“I didn’t know where I was going to be playing or living,” Akpom was quoted by PulseSports.
“I kept my head down with Uche (Ikpeazu) and worked hard so I was ready for whatever happened next. I had my bags packed.
“There’s been many times when I’ve wanted to quit when things have been going wrong on loans or not getting in teams, I could have taken my foot off the gas.
“But I continued to work hard and I could see light at the end of the tunnel and I knew things would work out well for me.
“My biggest strength is my mentality. I never once doubted myself — work hard and it’ll work out. Carrick spoke to me straight away. In his second session, he put me in that new role. I’m so grateful he did that — it’s got the best out of me.
“Michael is a top man. The gaffer is so humble… he would say he’s had nothing to do with my form, but I want to tell people he has been key. I can’t praise him enough for what he’s done for my career.”
The English-born Nigerian striker did not register a single goal in four of those clubs and managed to score nine goals in total with Hull City and St. Truiden.
The yet-to-be-capped Nigerian player gradually got his rhythm when he joined Greek side Paok scoring 17 goals in 54 appearances but it was not good enough in his two-year spell in the Super League.
The striker then joined Riverside outfit Middlesbrough and went back on loan to former side PAOK where he managed just seven goals in 37 appearances.
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