French Ligue 1 club Lille OSC has confirmed that Nigerian striker Chuba Akpom will not be joining them permanently after his loan spell ends this summer. Akpom, who joined Lille from Ajax in January on a loan deal with an option to buy, has seen increased playing time in recent weeks, even scoring in their final game of the season—a 2-1 victory over Reims. Despite this, the club has decided not to activate the purchase clause, leaving Akpom’s future uncertain.
Akpom will return to Ajax, where he still has three years remaining on his contract, set to expire in June 2028. His time at Ajax has been a mix of highs and lows. After a stellar 2022/23 season with Middlesbrough, where he was the EFL Championship’s top scorer with 28 goals in 40 league appearances, he moved to Ajax in August 2023. At Ajax, he made 68 official appearances, scoring 23 goals. However, limited playing time led to his loan move to Lille in search of more opportunities.
Internationally, Akpom’s situation has been equally challenging. Born in London to Nigerian parents, he represented England at various youth levels before switching his allegiance to Nigeria in 2019. Despite his consistent performances at the club level, he has yet to receive a call-up to the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles. This omission has been a source of frustration for Akpom, who has expressed his desire to represent Nigeria on multiple occasions.
The Super Eagles’ selection process has been under scrutiny, with new coach Eric Chelle emphasizing a merit-based approach. This shift could potentially open the door for players like Akpom, who have been overlooked despite their club performances.
Conclusion:
Chuba Akpom’s journey reflects the challenges many dual-nationality players face in international football. Despite his proven track record at the club level, national team recognition has eluded him. As he returns to Ajax, his future remains uncertain, but his determination to represent Nigeria persists. With the Super Eagles’ new merit-based selection policy, Akpom’s consistent performances could finally earn him the national team call-up he has long awaited.
