Marius Obekop (born 19 December 1994) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.[1]

Marius Obekop
Marius Obekop playing for New York Red Bulls II in 2015
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-12-19) 19 December 1994 (age 29)
Place of birth Yaoundé, Cameroon
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Arsenal de Yaounde
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Renaissance 18 (5)
2013–2015 New York Red Bulls 8 (0)
2013–2015 New York Red Bulls Reserves (loan) 16 (6)
2015New York Red Bulls II (loan) 20 (6)
2016 Orlando City B 18 (0)
2017 Zaria Bălți 9 (4)
2018 Zimbru Chișinău 12 (4)
2019–2020 Nantong Zhiyun 18 (4)
2021 Masafi
2021–2022 Al-Diriyah
2022–2024 Masafi
International career
2010–2011 Cameroon U17 30 (16)
2012 Cameroon U20 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 July 2020

Career

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Early career

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Obekop spent the majority of his youth career with Arsenal de Yaounde before joining Renaissance FC de Ngoumou in the Elite One, Cameroon's top division.[2] He made his debut with Renaissance on 19 December 2010 in a match against Caiman Douala scoring on a shot from outside the box.[3] Upon joining the club Obekop forced his way into the starting lineup and was a key player in helping Renaissance maintain its top flight status. In the 2012 season Obekop played 18 games for Renaissance in the league while also scoring five goals.[2]

New York Red Bulls

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In November 2012 scouts from Major League Soccer in the United States went to observe the top young Cameroonian players as selected by the Cameroonian Football Federation. Obekop impressed the American talent evaluators and earned a trial with New York Red Bulls in January 2013.[4] On 18 March 2013 the Red Bulls announced that they had agreed to terms with Obekop.[5] Obekop then made his professional debut with the team on 17 April 2013 against Sporting Kansas City.

New York Red Bulls II

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Obekop was loaned to affiliate side New York Red Bulls II during the 2015 season and made his debut as a starter for the side in its first ever match on 28 March 2015 in a 0–0 draw with Rochester Rhinos.[6] On 4 April 2015 Obekop scored his first goal for New York Red Bulls II, converting from the penalty spot to help the club to a 4–1 victory over Toronto FC II, the first victory in club history.[7] On 27 June 2015 Obekop scored the opening goal for the club in a 4–1 victory over Saint Louis FC.[8] On 2 August 2015 Obekop scored the first goal of the match for New York in a 2–1 victory against Saint Louis FC.[9] On 29 August 2015 Obekop scored his fifth goal of the season for NYRBII in a 2–0 victory over Wilmington Hammerheads FC.[10]

Orlando City B

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On 13 January 2016, Obekop signed with United Soccer League's Orlando City B.[11] In his one season in Orlando Obekop appeared in 19 matches for the side.

International career

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Obekop has represented Cameroon at the Under-17 and Under-20 levels. In 2010, he made his debut with the U-17s and scored 12 goals in 15 matches. The following year he appeared in 15 U-17 Cup of Nations qualifiers and scored 4 goals. In 2012, he appeared in 2 matches for the U-20s.

Career statistics

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As of 31 December 2019[1]
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Renaissance 2010-11 Elite One 0 0 0 0 - 0 0
2012 18 5 0 0 - 18 5
Total 18 5 0 0 0 0 18 5
New York Red Bulls 2013 Major League Soccer 5 0 0 0 - 5 0
2014 2 0 0 0 3 0 5 0
2015 1 0 0 0 - 1 0
Total 8 0 0 0 3 0 11 0
New York Red Bulls Reserves (loan) 2013 MLS Reserve League 12 5 - - 12 5
2014 4 1 - - 4 1
Total 16 6 0 0 0 0 16 6
New York Red Bulls II (loan) 2015 United Soccer League 22 6 - - 22 6
Orlando City B 2016 19 0 - - 19 0
Zaria Bălți 2017 Moldovan National Division 9 4 0 0 0 0 9 4
Zimbru Chișinău 2018 12 4 2 1 - 14 5
Nantong Zhiyun 2019 China League One 18 4 0 0 - 18 4
Career total 122 29 2 1 3 0 127 30

References

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  1. ^ a b Marius Obekop at Soccerway
  2. ^ a b "Red Bulls Sign Midfielder Marius Obekop and Forward Rafhinha". New York Red Bulls. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Marius Obekop profile". westafricanfootall.com. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  4. ^ "Marius Obekop chez les Red Bulls de New York" (in French). mboafootball.com. 28 January 2013. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Red Bulls sign Obekop and Rafhinha". newyorkredbulls.com. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  6. ^ "Red Bulls II 0 Rochester Rhinos 0". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Red Bulls II earn first victory in team history". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  8. ^ "MATCH RECAP: Saint Louis FC 1, New York Red Bulls II 4". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  9. ^ "MATCH RECAP: New York Red Bulls II 2, Saint Louis FC 1". newyorkredbulls.com. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  10. ^ "NYRB II Secures Shutout Win Against Hammerheads". uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  11. ^ "Orlando City B Deepens Squad with Seven Acquisitions". OrlandoCitySC.com. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
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