Joshua Laqeretabua Explained

Joshua Laqeretabua
Fullname:Joshua Laqeretabua[1]
Birth Date:26 September 2005
Birth Place:England
Height:1.85m
Currentclub:Charlton Athletic
Position:Defender
Youthyears1:2013–2023
Youthclubs1:Charlton Athletic
Years1:2023–
Clubs1:Charlton Athletic
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Nationalyears1:2023–
Nationalteam1:Fiji U20
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:17:10, 9 October 2023 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:17:10, 9 October 2023 (UTC)

Joshua Laqeretabua (born 26 September 2005) is a Fijian footballer who currently plays for League One club Charlton Athletic. He is a Fiji youth international.[2]

Club career

Laqeretabua joined the academy of Charlton Athletic at the under-9 level. He won the 2022–23 league championship with the under-18 side. In July 2023, he signed his first professional contract with the club, a two-year deal.[3] [4]

Laqeretabua made his competitive debut for Charlton's senior side on 5 September 2023 in a 3–4 2023–24 EFL Trophy loss to Crawley Town.[5] [6]

International career

Laqeretabua's parents are from Fiji's Tailevu Province. In 2022, he was identified as one of the promising Fijian footballers who would make up the next generation of the country's national team.[7] In February 2023, at age seventeen, he accepted a call-up to the Fiji under-20 team for a training camp ahead of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, despite being on the radar of the English FA.[8] [9] About the call up, Laqeretabua said, "It has always been my dream to be called up to play for my parents' country of birth."[10] [11] He went on to be part of Fiji's final squad for the tournament, making two appearances.[12] [13] [14]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Charlton Athletic2023–24League One0000002020
2024–25League One0000000000
Charlton Athletic total0000002020
Career total0000002020

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Club List of Registered Players as at 20th May 2023 . English Football League . 32 . 27 July 2022.
  2. Web site: Soccerway profile . Soccerway . 8 October 2023.
  3. Web site: Matairakula . Talei . Laqeretabua signs first professional contract . Fijian Broadcasting Corportation . 8 October 2023.
  4. Web site: Joshua Laqeretabua Signs First Pro Deal . Charlton Athletic FC . 8 October 2023.
  5. Web site: Kelly . John . Charlton to Make Break Count . South London Weekly . 8 October 2023 . 38.
  6. Web site: Mail . Harry . Charlton Athletic caretaker boss reacts to attacker injury boost . The 72 . 8 October 2023.
  7. Web site: Fiji’s football youth revolution is on . The Roar . 8 October 2023.
  8. Web site: Under-20 World Cup: a guide to players and coaches to look out for . Inside Port Harcourt . 8 October 2023.
  9. Web site: Nair . Krishneel . Josh Laqeretabua and Semi Nabenu have been invited to join Fiji U20- Reddy . Fiji Village . 8 October 2023.
  10. Web site: Nasokia . Waisea . Josh Laqeretabua Ready To Relish Opportunity . The Fiji Sun . 8 October 2023.
  11. Web site: Josh Laqeretabua on Fiji U20s call up . Charlton Athletic FC . 8 October 2023.
  12. Web site: Saltori . Rafael . Fijian youngster Josh Laqeretabua signs his first professional contract in England . Oceania Football Center . 8 October 2023.
  13. Web site: Cawley . Richard . Highly-rated Charlton Athletic defender – who played at U20 World Cup – signs two-year professional deal . London News Online . 8 October 2023.
  14. Web site: Ademola Lookman 2.0? 4 Charlton Athletic Players Who Could Be the Next Big Stars to Emerge . One Football . 8 October 2023.