Abdul Jeleel Ajagun
Abdul Jeleel Ajagun is a Nigerian football attacking midfielder currently playing for K.V. Kortrijk.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Port Harcourt, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Kortrijk | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003–2009 | Dolphins | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009–2013 | Dolphins | 92 | (39) |
| 2013–2017 | Panathinaikos | 67 | (10) |
| 2016 | → Levadiakos (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | → Roda JC (loan) | 31 | (5) |
| 2017– | Kortrijk | 58 | (7) |
| 2019 | → Omonia (loan) | 11 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 2009–2010 | Nigeria U17 | 7 | (2) |
| 2010–2014 | Nigeria U20 | 22 | (12) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:21, 4 November 2019 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Ajagun is a youth product of the Nigerian's Dolphins F.C..
On 28 August 2013, Panathinaikos announced Ajagun signed a contract for four years with the club.[1] On his debut with Panathinaikos, he scored against Platanias.
On 30 July 2015, Ajagun helped Greek club Panathinaikos come from behind to beat visiting Club Brugge of Belgium 2–1 in a UEFA Champions League qualifying round. Panathinaikos fell behind in front of their fans after just 10 minutes, but they showed great character to come back and win with two goals one in each half. And that was after they had defender Sergio Sanchez sent off two minutes from halftime and also missed a penalty in the 34th minute. Ajagun was replaced in the 46th minute on account of the red card against his team.[2] Former Nigeria youth star Abduljeleel Ajagun scored for his Greek side Panathinaikos in his first league game of the 2015–16 season as they beat Levadiakos 3–0.[3] On 29 January 2015, Panathinaikos announced that 23-year-old Nigerian midfielder Abdul Ajagun will continue his career at Levadiakos on loan until the end of season. Ajagun was not in manager's Andrea Stramaccioni plans and his departure will free a foreigner's position, in order for the Greens to complete Lucas Villafanez and Rodrigo Moledo's transfers.[4]
On 14 July 2016, Roda have announced the signing of former Nigeria youth international on season-long loan with a view to a permanent move. Ajagun, who played under the Miners boss Yannis Anastasiou will be hoping to make his mark in the Dutch elite division.[5] On 15 April 2017, he scored a brace in a vital game against Sparta Rotterdam sealing a 3–1 home win in his club's effort to avoid relegation.[6] On 7 May 2017, he scored at the last minute of the vital home game against Willem II sealing a 1–0 win but despite the win, the team from Kerkrade kept fighting Sparta Rotterdam and NEC for a chance to direct self-preservation, with one game remaining for the end of the season.[7]
On 5 July 2017, Ajagun will continue his career in Kortrijk on the coach Yannis Anastasiou's recommendation, as Panathinaikos announced officially. It has long been known to be official, that the Nigerian footballer was not in the plans of Panathinaikos coach Marinos Ouzounidis after returning from his long season loan to Roda.[8] On 17 September 2017, he scored his first goal with the club in a 2–2 home draw against Anderlecht.[9]
Career statistics
- As of match played on 21 May 2019[10]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Panathinaikos | 2013–14 | Superleague Greece | 27 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 6 |
| 2014–15 | 28 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8[lower-alpha 1] | 1 | 39 | 6 | ||
| 2015–16 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 15 | 2 | ||
| Total | 67 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 86 | 14 | ||
| Levadiakos (loan) | 2015–16 | Superleague Greece | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Roda JC (loan) | 2016–17 | Eredivisie | 31 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4[lower-alpha 3] | 0 | 36 | 5 |
| Kortrijk | 2017–18 | Belgian First Division A | 36 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 9 |
| 2018–19 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Total | 44 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 9 | ||
| AC Omonia (loan) | 2018–19 | Cypriot First Division | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Career totals | 165 | 21 | 19 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 198 | 28 | ||
- Six appearances in UEFA Europa League, Two appearances in UEFA Champions League
- One appearance in both UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League
- Appearances in Promotion/relegation play-offs
International career
He was a member of the Nigeria national under-17 football team that placed second in the 2009 edition they hosted, and scored two goals.[11] He has played in two African Youth Championships with the Nigeria under-20 team. He captained the squad in 2013 as they placed third to qualify for the 2013 Under-20 World Cup in Turkey.
On 21 June 2013, Ajagun scored two goals in their 3–2 defeat to Portugal in their opening game of the 2013 U-20 World Cup.[12]
Honours
Country
- Under-20
- African Youth Championship: 2011; Third Place: 2013
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Champions league: Ajagun scores winning goal for Panathiniakos
- Ajagun scores in first league game
- Panathinaikos lend Ajagun to Levadiakos
- Nigeriaan Ajagun negende nieuweling bij Roda
- Roda vs Sparta Rotterdam 3–1
- Roda vs Willem II 1–0
- EXCLUSIVE: Ajagun in line to join Belgian club KV Kortrijk
- KV Kortrijk – Anderlecht (2–2)
- Abdul Jeleel Ajagun at Soccerway. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- FIFA competition stats
- "Bruma brace denies Nigeria". FIFA. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
External links
- Abdul Jeleel Ajagun at Soccerway
