Joseph Efford

Joe Efford
Personal information
Full name Joseph Efford
Date of birth (1996-08-29) August 29, 1996
Place of birth Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current team
 Ergotelis
Number 9
Youth career
−2014 Dacula Falcons
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014 Botoșani 0 (0)
2014–2016 Mallorca 1 (0)
2017– Ergotelis 24 (7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of May 25, 2018

Joseph "Joe" Efford, (born August 29, 1996) is an American professional footballer, who currently plays for Football League club Ergotelis as a forward.

Club career

Early years

Efford graduated from Dacula High School in 2014. Right after he finished freshman orientation at the UNCG, he passed up college soccer scholarship, instead opting for a pro career in Europe.[1] He went through several trials in Romania,[1][2] before landing a contract with Liga I side FC Botoșani in June 2014.[3] His contract was however terminated in July.[4]

He left Romania to undergo a new series of tryouts in Spain, eventually ending up training with Segunda División side RCD Mallorca. After convincing Los Bermellones of his worth during a two weeks trial, he signed a contract with the club in September 2014.[1] However, problems with his visa kept him effectively out of the team for 7 months, before he was eventually cleared to play in Spain.[5] In 2016, a U.S. correspondent for Marca linked Efford to a loan move to Portuguese third division side S.C. Farense on his Twitter account.

Early in 2017, Efford was reported to be again on trial with League of Ireland Premier Division side Drogheda United for three weeks.[6] A move to the Drogs was however never realised.

Ergotelis

In September 2017, Efford was tried out by Greek Football League side Ergotelis and convinced coach Takis Gonias to sign him for the club.[7] He received the no. 9 jersey and scored on his debut on 25 Octoboer 2017, during a Greek Cup 2−4 home loss to Superleague regulars Xanthi.[8] In his twelfth cap with the Cretans in the Football League, Efford scored his first two goals in the competition on March 5, 2018, during a 0−3 away win vs. fellow Cretan side AO Chania−Kissamikos,[8] the first of which he scored just 37 seconds into the game.[9] He also provided the assist for teammate Hugo Cuypers' goal in the 13th minute.[9] Efford followed up his match MVP performance in Chania with another early goal (just 3 minutes in) during the follow-up home match vs. Panachaiki on March 8, 2018.[10] He scored his second brace on April 1, 2018, during a 5−1 thrashing of fellow relegation contenders Panegialios.[11] In total, Efford had a significant contribution to his club's successful Second Round battle out of the relegation zone, scoring seven times in 24 caps, 20 of which he was fielded as a starter.

Career statistics

As of matches played September 27, 2018
Club Season League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
RCD Mallorca 2014–15 Segunda División 1000—10
2015–16 0000—00
Total 1000—10
Ergotelis 2017–18 Football League 24721—268
2018–19 0021—21
Total 24742—289
Career total 25742—299

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Dacula grad Joe Efford earns spot with Spanish pro team RCD Mallorca". Gwinnett Daily Post. July 29, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Botoșani a adus doi brazilieni naturalizați în Olanda! Doi americani sunt în probe" (in Romanian). digisport.ro. June 22, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Un olandez şi doi americani au semnat cu FC Botoşani" (in Romanian). btonline.ro. June 23, 2014.
  4. ↑ "FC Botosani a mai renuntat la trei jucatori" (in Romanian). romaniansoccer.ro. July 22, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Temporada 2014-15 RCD MALLORCA" (in Spanish). futbolbasecatala.ca.
  6. ↑ "DROGS MAKE BIG EFFORD Drogheda United close to signing American striker Joe Efford". The Irish Sun. February 14, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Έκλεισε το ρόστερ του Εργοτέλη" (in Greek). patris.gr. September 11, 2017.
  8. 1 2 ""Ξεμπούκωσε" η φανέλα με το 9" (in Greek). Football League News. March 6, 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Εμφατικό πέρασμα από τα Χανιά ο Εργοτέλης, 3-0 τον ΑΟΧ Κισσαμικό" (in Greek). sport24.gr. March 5, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Στο 93' ο Εργοτέλης, 2-1 την Παναχαϊκή" (in Greek). sport24.gr. March 8, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Αναφορά αγώνα ΕΡΓΟΤΕΛΗΣ − ΠΑΝΑΙΓΙΑΛΕΙΟΣ" (in Greek). footballleaguenews.gr. April 1, 2018.

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