Joshua Oghene-Ochuko Akpudje (born 23 July 1998) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Tajikistan Higher League club Istiklol.[1]
Early career
Born in Lagos, Akpudje started his football career with Femmak Football Academy straight out of high school before joining Nigerian Professional Football League side MFM ahead of the abridged season in 2019.
Club career
On 3 March 2020, Akpudje completed a transfer to Latvian club BFC Daugavpils[2]
After playing for two seasons in Latvia, Akpudje moved to Lithuanian side FK Panevėžys[3][4] on loan in February 2022.
On 12 February 2024, Akpudje signed a two-year contract, with the option of a third, with Dinamo Tbilisi.[5]
On 11 July 2024, he moved to Finland after signing with Ilves in Veikkausliiga.[6] He left club after the season, in which Ilves finished 2nd in the league.
On 24 February 2025, Tajikistan Higher League club Istiklol announced the signing of Akpudje to a one-year contract.[7]
International career
Akpudje made his international debut for Nigeria U23 side in March 2019 against Libya [8] in an Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualification game.
Career statistics
- As of 19 October 2024
| Club | Season | Division | League | Cup[a] | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| MFM | 2019 | NPFL | 10 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 10 | 0 | ||||
| 2019–20 | NPFL | 19 | 2 | – | – | – | – | 19 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 2 | ||
| Daugavpils | 2020 | Virslīga | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | 24 | 0 | |||
| 2021 | Virslīga | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | 23 | 0 | ||||
| 2022 | Virslīga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 23 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 44 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 0 | ||
| Panevėžys (loan) | 2022 | A Lyga | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 2[b] | 0 | – | 25 | 1 | ||
| Jablonec | 2022–23 | Czech First League | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | 16 | 0 | |||
| Jablonec B | 2022–23 | ČFL | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Dinamo Tbilisi | 2024 | Erovnuli Liga | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 9 | 0 | |||
| Ilves | 2024 | Veikkausliiga | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | – | 13 | 0 | |
| Istiklol | 2025 | Tajikistan Higher League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0[c] | 0 | 0[d] | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career total | 130 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 141 | 0 | ||
- ^ Includes Latvian Cup, Lithuanian Cup, Czech Cup, Finnish Cup and Tajikistan Cup
- ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Conference League
- ^ Appearances in AFC Champions League Two
- ^ Appearances in Tajik Supercup
Honours
Ilves
- Veikkausliiga runner-up: 2024[9]
References
- ^ Joshua Akpudje at Soccerway
- ^ Umeh, Azu (3 March 2020). "MFM FC Defender Joshua Akpudje Seals Move To Latvian Side". The Busy Buddies. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ ""Panevėžyje" – nuomos pagrindais atvykstantis gynėjas iš Nigerijos". 15min.lt/sportas (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ ""Panevėžys" sustiprino gynybos grandį". sportas.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ "დინამომ ორი ფეხბურთელი დაიმატა". fcdinamo.ge (in Georgian). FC Dinamo Tbilisi. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Ilves ja Joshua Akpudje pelaajasopimukseen, ilvesfootball.com, 11 July 2024
- ^ "ТАҚВИЯТИ ХАТИ МУҲОФИЗАТ ИДОМА ДОРАД!". t.me/fcistiklol2007 (in Tajik). FC Istiklol Telegram. 24 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- ^ "Nigeria's Olympic Eagles lose 0-2 to Libya in first leg of 2019 AFCON U-23 qualifier". Pulse Nigeria. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ Ilveksen päävalmentaja hopeasta: ”Voitettu mitali”, Yle, 19 October 2024
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