Dapo Mebude Explained

Dapo Mebude
Fullname:Adedapo Paul Oluwaseun Awokoya-Mebude[1]
Birth Date:29 July 2001
Birth Place:London, England
Height:1.89m
Position:Winger, striker
Currentclub:KV Oostende
Clubnumber:14
Youthyears1:2011–2019
Youthclubs1:Rangers
Years1:2019–2021
Clubs1:Rangers
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:2021
Clubs2:Queen of the South (loan)
Caps2:11
Goals2:2
Years3:2021–2022
Clubs3:Watford
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2021–2022
Clubs4:AFC Wimbledon (loan)
Caps4:25
Goals4:2
Years5:2022–
Clubs5:KV Oostende
Caps5:7
Goals5:0
Nationalteam1:Scotland U16
Nationalyears2:2017–2018
Nationalteam2:Scotland U17
Nationalcaps2:10
Nationalgoals2:2
Nationalyears3:2018
Nationalteam3:Scotland U18
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2018–2020
Nationalteam4:Scotland U19
Nationalcaps4:13
Nationalgoals4:4
Nationalyears5:2021–
Nationalteam5:Scotland U21
Nationalcaps5:3
Nationalgoals5:0
Club-Update:19:05, 7 November 2023 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:12:32, 19 November 2021 (UTC)

Adedapo Paul Oluwaseun Awokoya-Mebude (born 29 July 2001) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Belgian club KV Oostende.

Early life

Mebude was born in London,[2] growing up in Peckham, and is of Nigerian descent.[3] His family moved to Scotland when he was around 10 years old, and he joined the Rangers youth system after attending an open Soccer Schools event organised by the club.[4] [5] He was later a participant in the SFA's Performance School programme at Holyrood Secondary School,[6] and also attended Rangers' youth partnership school Boclair Academy.

Club career

Mebude turned professional with Rangers in May 2017.[7] Mebude signed a new contract with the club in December 2018, keeping him at Ibrox until 2021.[8] In February 2019 he was recalled from international duty with the Scotland under-19s to join up with the Rangers first team, due to injury problems.[9] Mebude debuted for the first-team on 19 May 2019, in a 2–1 away defeat versus Kilmarnock in the league.[10]

On 21 January 2021, Mebude joined Scottish Championship club Queen of the South on loan until the end of the season.[11] He scored his first professional goal, in a 4–2 league win at Gayfield Park versus Arbroath on 6 March 2021.[12]

In June 2021, Mebude ran out his contract with Rangers to become a free agent.[13] [5] A month later in July, he was signed by Watford on a two-year contract with the option of a further two-years.[14] [15] He suffered a back injury at the end of July 2021, and was hospitalised.[16] [17]

He moved on loan to AFC Wimbledon in August 2021.[18] [19] He scored his first goal for Wimbledon in a 3–3 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 14 August 2021.[20]

In September 2022 he signed for Belgian club KV Oostende.[21]

Mebude trained with Livingston in July 2024.[22]

International career

Mebude has represented Scotland at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 youth levels, and made his first under-21 appearance in October 2021 against Denmark.[7] [8] [9] [23]

Style of play

In November 2018, he was described by the Daily Record as a "diminutive striker" who was "highly-rated within Ibrox" and that he was "known for his quick pace as well as his obvious finishing ability and is a handful for defenders with his trickery".[2] In a September 2019 interview, Mebude stated "When I play as a winger I try and be direct and score goals like Raheem Sterling who is fast, direct and a similar build to me."[24]

Personal life

In February 2021 Mebude was one of five Rangers players fined by Scottish police "for attending an illegal gathering of ten people in a flat" in breach of lockdown rules during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[25]

Mebude was hospitalised in January 2024 following a car crash.[26]

His younger brother Dire is also a footballer, who plays for Championship club Bristol City, on loan from fellow Belgian side KVC Westerlo, and Scotland U21.[27]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed . Premier League . 10 September 2021 . 12 September 2021.
  2. Web site: Who is Dapo Mebude? Rangers fans rave as teen hits treble for reserves. 7 November 2018. 15 February 2019. Mark McDougall. Daily Record.
  3. Web site: Nigerian Superkid Signs Professional Contract With Scottish Powerhouse Rangers. All Nigeria Soccer. 30 May 2017.
  4. https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/17905032.amp/ Dapo Mebude determined to grab his Rangers chance with the help of striking rivals Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe
  5. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dapo-mebude-rangers-debut-dream-25126115.amp Dapo Mebude reveals the dangling Rangers carrot he turned down as Watford star talks up Ibrox exit call
  6. https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/performance/jd-performance-schools/roll-of-honour/ Performance Schools Roll Of Honour
  7. Web site: Rangers starlets Serge Atakayi and Dapo Mebude profiled as academy prospects add to their growing reputation. 21 November 2017. 15 February 2019. Daily Record.
  8. Web site: Dapo Mebude Signs New Contract. 15 December 2018. 15 February 2019. Rangers F.C..
  9. Web site: Rangers facing striker shortage against St Johnstone, says Gerrard. 15 February 2019. 15 February 2019. BBC Sport.
  10. Web site: Kilmarnock 2–1 Rangers. 19 May 2019. 2 June 2019. BBC Sport.
  11. Web site: Dapo Mebude. Queen of the South F.C.. 21 January 2021. 21 January 2021.
  12. Web site: QoS : Report – Arbroath 6.3.21. www.qosfc.com. 6 March 2021.
  13. Web site: Pacy attacker looks set to leave Rangers for nothing this summer as contract runs down. 20 May 2021. Rangers News.
  14. Web site: Official: Mebude Signs For Golden Boys. 9 July 2021. www.watfordfc.com. 9 July 2021.
  15. Web site: Watford sign Etebo, King and Mebude. BBC Sport . 9 July 2021.
  16. Web site: Injury Update: Dapo Mebude. www.watfordfc.com. 28 July 2021.
  17. Web site: Mebude out of hospital after back injury. Watford Observer. 28 July 2021.
  18. Web site: Wimbledon sign Watford's Mebude on loan. BBC Sport . 4 August 2021.
  19. https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2021/august/dapo-it-was-the-perfect-option-to-sign-for-the-dons/ Dapo: It was the 'perfect' option to sign for the Dons
  20. News: Wimbledon 3–3 Bolton. . 14 August 2021 . 15 August 2021.
  21. Web site: Official: Mebude Makes Belgium Move. www.watfordfc.com.
  22. Web site: Ex-Rangers starlet pictured training with Livingston. thenational.scot. 5 July 2024.
  23. Web site: Rangers youngster Dapo Mebude seals win for Scotland Under-17s against Germany. 27 March 2018. 15 February 2019. Alasdair Mackenzie. Herald Scotland. subscription.
  24. Web site: Rangers winger Dapo Mebude likens himself to £49m Premier League star. Aiden. Cusick. 10 September 2019. HITC.
  25. News: Lindsay . Matthew . Rangers midfielder Bongani Zungu set to depart Ibrox this summer following Covid-19 lockdown breach . 23 February 2021 . Herald Scotland . 20 February 2021. subscription.
  26. Web site: Dapo Mebude: Scotland U21 player in hospital after car crash in Belgium . BBC Sport . 7 January 2024 . 7 January 2024.
  27. Web site: Bristol City sign 'mystery attacker' with loan addition of ex-Manchester City and Rangers talent . BristolPost. 1 February 2024.