Benik Afobe

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Benik Afobe
Benik Afobe (2015).jpg
Afobe playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2015
Personal information
Full name Benik Tunani Afobe[1]
Date of birth (1993-02-12) 12 February 1993 (age 31)[1]
Place of birth Leyton, England
Height Script error: No such module "person height".
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Bournemouth
Number 20
Youth career
2001–2010 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2015 Arsenal 0 (0)
2010–2011 → Huddersfield Town (loan) 28 (5)
2012 → Reading (loan) 3 (0)
2012–2013 → Bolton Wanderers (loan) 20 (2)
2013 → Millwall (loan) 5 (0)
2014 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 12 (2)
2014–2015 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 22 (10)
2015–2016 Wolverhampton Wanderers 46 (22)
2016– Bournemouth 6 (3)
International career
2008 England U16 3 (4)
2009–2010 England U17 23 (11)
2010–2012 England U19 10 (7)
2012–2013 England U21 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:44, 15 February 2016 (UTC)

Benik Tunani Afobe (born 12 February 1993) is an English-Congolese professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Bournemouth.

He made his debut for the Arsenal Reserves at the age of 16 and scored 20 goals in 13 appearances for Arsenal's under 18 squad. He signed a professional contract with Arsenal in February 2010, and was loaned to various clubs before signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2015. A year later, he signed for Bournemouth for £10 million.

Afobe was part of the England squad that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in May 2010.[3]

Club career

Arsenal

Youth & Reserves

Afobe was born in Leyton, London.[1] He joined the Arsenal F.C. Academy when he was six; he was playing for Sunday league team Eclipse FC in Dagenham when he was spotted by an Arsenal scout – Gary Nott. He joined Arsenal on 1 May 2001. He scored 40 goals for the U-16s in 2007–08,[4][5] 11 goals in 13 appearances in 2008–09, and 21 goals in 24 appearances for Arsenal U-18 in 2009–10.[6] He was voted Arsenal's U-18 player of the season.[7] He signed a professional contract with Arsenal in February 2010, after reportedly being targeted by Barcelona.[8][9] The Guardian has called him "powerful and racy"[10] and commented that he "is already being furtively whispered up as the next, next big thing."[11]

Huddersfield Town (loan)

On 2 November 2010, he agreed on terms to join League One club Huddersfield Town on loan until December 2010.[12] He made his debut as a substitute the same night, coming on in the 64th minute for Joe Garner in the 2–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough Stadium.[13] After the game, Huddersfield manager Lee Clark praised Afobe, calling him "another fantastic young player from the Arsenal production line."[14] Afobe scored his first goals in professional football as Huddersfield beat Rotherham United 5–2 away from home in the Football League Trophy. He made it 3–1 with a clinical header inside the box, before finishing off the scoring with a well-taken finish in the second half.[15]

Following a broken leg to Anthony Pilkington, Afobe got an extended run in the Huddersfield starting line-up in the second half of the season which saw him pick up four Man of the Match awards in a row, which also included 5 goals and a number of important assists, taking Huddersfield's unbeaten record from December to 24 league games. Despite his and Huddersfield's great form, they narrowly missed out on automatic promotion and lost in the final of the play-offs. In total he made 32 appearances with 8 goals and 10 assists for the Terriers.[16][17]

2011–12 season

Afobe impressed on his first-team debut for Arsenal in the 2011 Emirates Cup against American side New York Red Bulls. He came on for the injured Jack Wilshere on 7 minutes, however he was then substituted on 74 minutes for Andrey Arshavin as he had a groin injury. Afobe made his return from injury in August for the Reserves in a 2–1 win against Man Utd Reserves,[18] however went off after just 22 minutes, ruling the striker out for over six months. Afobe made a goalscoring return for the Reserves in a 5–0 win against Norwich Reserves on 21 February, entering the field as a first-half substitute. Afobe also missed a penalty in the match.[19]

On 22 March 2012, Afobe agreed to join Championship club Reading on loan until the end of the season, and made three appearances in the side that secured the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League.

2012–13 season

On 3 August 2012, Football League Championship club Bolton Wanderers confirmed that Afobe had joined on a season-long loan.[20][21] Afobe made his debut the following day, coming on as a substitute in Bolton's 3–0 friendly defeat at Portsmouth.[22] On 7 August, he scored a hat trick in Bolton's penultimate pre-season friendly as they beat Tranmere Rovers 3–1.[23] He made his competitive debut on 18 August, coming on as a second-half substitute for Kevin Davies, in Bolton's 2–0 defeat at Burnley. After making two more substitute appearances, he made his starting debut in the League Cup defeat at Crawley Town on 28 August, scoring in the process.[24] His first league goal for Bolton came on 23 October as he scored the first in a 2–2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[25] On 31 January 2013, Bolton cut short his deal and he returned to Arsenal.[26]

On 8 February 2013, Afobe joined Millwall on loan until the end of the season,[27] but that deal was cancelled one month later due to an knee injury and he returned to Arsenal and underwent surgery.[28]

2013–14 season

Afobe returned from injury in late October 2013, after an eight-month period on the sidelines. He scored the only goal on his return to action in a win for an Arsenal XI against the Nike Academy.[29]

On 30 January 2014, Afobe joined Sheffield Wednesday for the rest of the 2013–14 campaign.[5] Afobe made his debut, in a 1–0 win over Barnsley on 1 February 2014.[30] He then scored his first goal and set up a goal in the next game, in a 2–0 win over Reading.[31] He then scored his second goal of the season on 29 March 2014, in a 4–1 loss against Watford.[32] After making twelve appearance and scoring twice, it announced that Afobe returned to Arsenal as a result of his conclusion on his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday.[33]

2014–15 season

Afobe joined MK Dons on loan until the end of the season.[34] Afobe made his debut for the club, at 2–2 in an eventual 4–2 win over Gillingham on the opening day of the 2014–15 season.[35] Afobe then scored his first league goal for the club, in a 1–0 win over Chesterfield on 19 August 2014.[36]

Afobe then scored two goals in a 4–0 win over Manchester United in the League Cup second round after coming on as a substitute.[37] In third round, he scored two more goals to help his team to pass Bradford City and to go in fourth round.[38] On 29 November, Afobe scored a hat trick in a 6–0 win over Colchester United.[39]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 14 January 2015 Afobe signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported £2 million,[40] and was assigned the number 12 shirt, which was previously used by loanees Yannick Sagbo and Danny Graham.[41] He scored in his debut for the club three days after signing, entering as a substitute for James Henry and walking the ball into the net in added time to confirm a 2–0 home win against Blackpool.[42] He ended the season having scored 13 goals during 21 appearances for Wolves, but the team was denied a play-off place by goal difference.

Afobe scored the opening goal of the season for his club in a 2–1 win away to Blackburn Rovers.[43] As the summer 2015 transfer window drew to a close, he was the subject of interest from newly promoted Premier League club Norwich City, who reportedly entered a series of bids.[44] In response, Wolves issued a statement to say that "neither Benik nor any of Wolves’ first team forward players, will be sold this season".[45] Afobe remained a Wolves player at the close of the summer transfer window and went on to score 10 goals before the turn of the year. During the January transfer window, Afobe again attracted interest from the Premier League with Bournemouth's bid of a reported £10 million ultimately being accepted.[46]

In the aftermath of Afobe's departure, Wolves' head of football development and recruitment Kevin Thelwell told fans: "Benik was no longer trying to play for us. That was undermining everything we were trying to achieve"; chief executive Jez Moxey added that "[Afobe] insisted on moving. We were forced into doing a deal that we didn't want to do".[47] Afobe himself responded via social media: "I did my best. It was hard for us all. I asked to leave but only because I wanted to play in the Premier League, but I never told my team-mates or disrupted the changing room".[47]

Bournemouth

On 10 January 2016, after numerous attempts to sign him, Afobe joined Bournemouth on a four-and-a-half year deal on an undisclosed fee reported to be a club record £10 million.[48]

He made his debut two days later, starting in a 1–3 loss to West Ham United at Dean Court. Despite missing good opportunities to score, manager Eddie Howe said of his new signing "The pleasing thing was that he was at the end of those chances and we know with his quality he'll put them away."[49] In his next game on 16 January, Afobe scored his first Bournemouth and Premier League goal, putting in Charlie Daniels' cross to open a 3–0 home win over Norwich City.[50]

International career

Afobe playing for England U19s in 2012

Afobe captained England under-12s at the Junior World Cup in France in 2005.[51][52] In 2008, Afobe was part of the England under-16 team that won the Victory Shield, scoring four goals in three games,[53][54] equalling Michael Owen's England under-16 record.[55] He was also part of the England under-17 squad that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[3][56] The Guardian's sports blog called him "among the best of the crop" and "a prolific striker".[57] He joined the England under-19 squad in August 2010.[58]

In June 2011, Afobe was called up to the England under-20 team for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. However he was withdrawn from the squad by Arsenal to join the first team pre-season camp in Germany. Afobe was also called up to replace Manchester United's Danny Welbeck from England u21s in August, however he pulled out due to a groin injury.

On 18 June 2015, he was called up to replace injured Saido Berahino at the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[59]

He also qualifies to represent DR Congo through his parents.[60] He was called up to the DR Congo national team, for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Angola.[61]

Career statistics

Club

As of matches played 23 April 2016.
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Huddersfield Town (loan) 2010–11[62] League One 28 5 3 1 — 4[lower-alpha 1] 2 35 8
Reading (loan) 2011–12[63] Championship 3 0 — — — 3 0
Bolton Wanderers (loan) 2012–13[64] Championship 20 2 2 0 1 1 — 23 3
Millwall (loan) 2012–13[64] Championship 5 0 — — — 5 0
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2013–14[65] Championship 12 2 1 0 — — 13 2
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 2014–15[66] League One 22 10 3 2 4 6 1[lower-alpha 2] 1 30 19
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2014–15[67] Championship 21 13 — — — 21 13
2015–16[68] Championship 25 9 — 2 1 — 27 10
Total 46 22 0 0 2 1 0 0 48 23
Bournemouth 2015–16[69] Premier League 12 4 0 0 — — 12 4
Career Total 147 43 9 3 7 8 5 3 168 57
  1. ↑ One appearance and two goals in Football League Trophy, three in Football League One play-offs
  2. ↑ Appearance in Football League Trophy

Honours

Club

Milton Keynes Dons

International

England

Individual

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3186447/Wolves-ace-Benik-Afobe-targeting-repeat-performance-outgunned-Harry-Kane-bid-Championship-promotion.html
  61. ↑ http://www.leopardsfoot.com/leopards-liste-des-27-contre-l-angola/
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  65. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  66. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  67. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  68. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  69. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  70. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  71. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8713980.stm
  72. ↑ http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/TechnicalReport/competitions/Under19/01/65/10/43/1651043_DOWNLOAD.pdf

External links

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