Adedire Emmanuel Awokoya-Mebude (born 28 May 2004) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Challenger Pro League club Belgian Pro League club K.V.C. Westerlo. Born in England, he grew up in Scotland and like his older brother Dapo Mebude he is an under-21 international for Scotland.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Adedire Emmanuel Awokoya-Mebude[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 28 May 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | London, England[1] | ||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Westerlo | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014–2020 | Rangers | ||
| 2020–2023 | Manchester City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023– | Westerlo | 13 | (2) |
| 2024 | → Bristol City (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2019–2020 | Scotland U16 | 4 | (1) |
| 2022– | Scotland U19 | 8 | (1) |
| 2023– | Scotland U21 | 6 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 February 2024 | |||
Club career
editMebude joined the Scottish side Rangers at the age of ten, progressing through the academy before rejecting the offer of a contract at the age of sixteen.[2] In September 2020, he joined the academy of Premier League side Manchester City.[3][4] He signed his first professional contract with Manchester City in July 2021.[5]
In August 2022, renewed contract talks between Mebude and Manchester City reportedly stalled, with fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur linked with a move for the player, as well as PSV Eindhoven and Club Brugge.[6][7]
On 26 July 2023, Medube made a transfer from Manchester City to KVC Westerlo for a reported fee of up to £1.65m.[8] He made his competitive debut on 6 August 2023, coming off the bench in a 1–0 against Club Brugge.[9]
On 1 February 2024, Medube signed for EFL Championship club Bristol City on loan until the end of the season.[10] He made his first appearance as a substitute in Bristol City's 3-1 win at home to Southampton.[11]
International career
editMebude has represented Scotland at youth international levels up to the U21s.[12] He is also eligible to represent England and Nigeria.[1]
Style of play
editDescribed by Manchester City as a "skilful forward with blistering pace", Mebude is renowned for his goalscoring ability, and was named academy player's player of the year for the 2021–22 season.[13][14][15][16]
Personal life
editMebude is the brother of fellow professional footballer Dapo Mebude.[5]
Career statistics
edit- As of 20 August 2023[17]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester City U21 | 2021–22 | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2022–23 | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| K.V.C. Westerlo | 2023–24 | Belgian Pro League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Bristol City (loan) | 2023–24 | EFL Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Career total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
- Notes
- ^ a b Appearances in the EFL Trophy
References
edit- ^ a b c Adedire Mebude at WorldFootball.net
- ^ Meyers, Billy (29 December 2022). "Who is Adedire Mebude? 18-year-old who left Rangers now shining with Spurs reportedly interested". hitc.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Jack, Christopher (29 September 2020). "Manchester City sign Rangers youngster Dire Mebude". heraldscotland.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Oliver, David (30 September 2020). "Rangers turn a profit as Manchester City sign up prospect Dire Mebude". scotsman.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ a b Caw, Daniel (9 July 2021). "Dire Mebude signs first professional contract at Manchester City after leaving Rangers". glasgowlive.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Kinsella, Nizaar (31 August 2022). "Tottenham join Adedire Mebude transfer race as Man City contract talks stall". standard.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Ornstein, David (29 August 2022). "Ornstein: Transfer deadline guide, Pepe's 25% pay cut, Premier League's plane shortage". theathletic.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
A younger player attracting a lot of interest as we edge towards deadline day is Manchester City prospect Adedire Mebude. PSV Eindhoven and Club Bruges are both believed to be among the teams who have enquired about his availability.
(subscription required) - ^ Smith, Aidan (26 July 2023). "Rangers set to land fee as Dire Mebude nears Manchester City exit". theheraldscotland.com. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
Mebude's form has caught the eye and he is now set to sign for Belgian club Westerlo in a deal worth up to £1.65m.
- ^ Nicolson, Laura (28 May 2024). "Get to know your Scotland Men's U21 Squad – Youth Football Scotland". Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Bristol City sign teenage winger Mebude on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ https://x.com/BristolCity/status/1757520936620736569?s=20
- ^ Adedire Awokoya-Mebude at the Scottish Football Association
- ^ "Adedire Mebude". mancity.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Leigh, Neil (12 May 2022). "Quintet recognised at Academy Player of the Year awards". mancity.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Murphy, Daniel (16 August 2022). "Exciting Man City youngster Dire Mebude told how he can get even better". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (8 January 2023). "PL2 : Red-hot Mebude at the double for Manchester City in 6-0 rout of Arsenal". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ A. Mebude at Soccerway