Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu (born 3 July 2001), known as Promise David, is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Belgian Pro League club Union SG. Born in Canada, he was a youth international for Nigeria before committing to play for Canada on February 21, 2025.[2]
Club career
David began playing football with the youth academy of Toronto FC Academy, before moving to his local club Vaughan Azzurri in 2016.[3] In 2019, he was scouted by the Croatian club Trnje and joined their youth academy. On 18 September 2021, he signed an academy contract with the American club Tulsa.[4]
In January 2022, David joined the Maltese club Valletta on a short-term contract.[5] He scored the goal that got Valletta to the 2021–22 Maltese FA Trophy final, where they finished runners-up.[1] On 20 June 2022, he transferred to Sirens, also in Malta.[6] On 13 February 2023, he moved to Estonia with Nõmme Kalju.[7] In his last season in the Meistriliiga with Kalju he scored 14 goals and provided 3 assists in 16 matches.[8]
In July 2024, David signed with Union SG of the Belgian First Division A, on a three-year contract with an option of a further year.[9] He debuted with them as a substitute during the 2024 Belgian Super Cup on 20 July, where the club would be eventual 2–1 victors over Club Brugge.[10] David scored his first goal for his new club on 10 August against Westerlo.[11]
International career
David was born in Canada to Nigerian parents.[12] In October 2022, he was called up to the Nigeria U23s for a set of 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against the Tanzania U23s.[13] He debuted with the Nigeria U23s, a 1–1 tie in the first leg with Tanzania U23 on October 22, 2022.[14] In January 2025, after inquiries from the Nigerian Football Federation, David stated that he was focused on playing for his country of birth, Canada.[15]
On February 21, 2025, David's request to switch allegiance to Canada was approved by FIFA.[16]
Career statistics
- As of match played March 12, 2025
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Valletta | 2021–22 | Maltese Premier League | 9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 14 | 4 | ||
| Sirens | 2022–23 | Maltese Premier League | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | |||
| Nõmme Kalju II | 2023 | Esiliiga B | 19 | 22 | — | — | — | 19 | 22 | |||
| Nõmme Kalju | 2023 | Meistriliiga | 23 | 7 | 3 | 6 | — | — | 26 | 13 | ||
| 2024 | Meistriliiga | 16 | 14 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 18 | 17 | |||
| Total | 39 | 21 | 5 | 9 | — | — | 44 | 30 | ||||
| Union SG | 2024–25 | Belgian Pro League | 23 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 3[b] | 1 | 1[c] | 0 | 30 | 16 |
| Career total | 97 | 56 | 13 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 114 | 72 | ||
- ^ Includes Maltese FA Trophy, Estonian Cup, Belgian Cup
- ^ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearance in Belgian Super Cup
Honours
- Union Saint-Gilloise
References
- ^ a b "Promise puts Valletta in Izibet FA Trophy final - maltafootball.com". May 10, 2022.
- ^ Nightingale, Tom (2025-02-21). "Promise David officially files switch from Nigeria to Canada, will be called up by CanMNT". Canadian Soccer Daily. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ Erons, Imhons (July 1, 2024). "Union SG aim for a repeat Victor Boniface operation with Promise Akinpelu David transfer - Soccernet NG".
- ^ Adeyanju, Oluwayemisi Afolabi (September 18, 2021). "The Promising Star: Promise Akinpelu". CKDmedia.
- ^ Adeyanju, Oluwayemisi Afolabi (April 1, 2022). "FC Valletta Proposes Two Years Extension Of Contract For Promise David". CKDmedia.
- ^ "Canadian forward David Promise moves to Sirens on a two-year deal". Times of Malta. June 20, 2022.
- ^ "Nõmme Kalju sõlmis kolmeaastase lepingu noore Kanada ründajaga". ERR. February 13, 2023.
- ^ "Canadese spits Promise David komt bij Union". RUSG.
- ^ Erons, Imhons (July 2, 2024). "Confirmed: Canada-born striker of Nigerian origin joins Union Saint-Gilloise - Soccernet NG".
- ^ "Promise David jäi debüütmängus kuivale, aga võitis Belgias esimese tiitli". ERR. July 21, 2024.
- ^ "First GOALS for Kevin, Mo and Tobi. - HIGHLIGHTS: Westerlo - Union". August 12, 2024.
- ^ "In-Form Striker Promise David Relishes Flourishing Start at Sirens FC, Opens Up on National Team Choices – Abroad". July 24, 2022.
- ^ "18 players make Nigeria Dream Team ahead of Tanzania". EaglesTracker. October 20, 2022.
- ^ @thenff (October 22, 2022). "Olympic Eagles player David Promise and Coach Salisu Yusuf's reaction after 1-1 draw against Tanzania U23 in Dar es Salaam" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ staff, Canadian Soccer Daily (2025-01-28). "Promise David has chosen to play for Canada over Nigeria: report". Canadian Soccer Daily. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
- ^ Nightingale, Tom (February 21, 2025). "Promise David officially files switch from Nigeria to Canada, will be called up by CanMNT". Canadian Soccer Daily.
External links
- Promise David at Soccerway