Joseph Efford

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.

In September 2017, Efford was tried out by Greek Football League side Ergotelis and convinced coach Takis Gonias to sign him for the club.[6] He received the no. 9 jersey and scored on his debut on 25 October 2017, during a Greek Cup 2−4 home loss to Superleague regulars Xanthi.[7] 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,[7] the first of which he scored just 37 seconds into the game.[8] He also provided the assist for teammate Hugo Cuypers' goal in the 13th minute.[8] 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.[9] He scored his second brace on April 1, 2018, during a 5−1 thrashing of fellow relegation contenders Panegialios.[10] 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.

After the departure of Cuypers, Efford became the focal point of Ergotelis' attack, finishing as top-scorer for the club in the 2018–19 season with 11 goals. On January 5 2020, Efford scored his 23rd league goal, thus moving up in fifth place of Ergotelis' list of all-time top-scorers in professional competitions. On January 31st 2020, Efford made history when he scored his first professional hat trick on Corfu and moved up to second place of Ergotelis' list of all-time top-scorers in professional competitions with 31 goals (28 league + 3 cup).