Ade Azeez Explained

Ade Azeez
Fullname:Adebayo Linford Kazim Azeez[1]
Birth Date:8 January 1994[2]
Birth Place:Bromley, London, England
Height:1.85m (06.07feet)
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Billericay Town
Youthyears1:–2008
Youthclubs1:Rivercray
Youthyears2:2008–2012
Youthclubs2:Charlton Athletic
Years1:2012–2014
Clubs1:Charlton Athletic
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2012–2013
Clubs2:Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
Caps2:4
Goals2:0
Years3:2013
Clubs3:Leyton Orient (loan)
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Years4:2013–2014
Clubs4:Torquay United (loan)
Caps4:9
Goals4:2
Years5:2014
Clubs5:→ Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)
Caps5:15
Goals5:3
Years6:2014–2016
Clubs6:AFC Wimbledon
Caps6:85
Goals6:12
Years7:2016–2017
Clubs7:Partick Thistle
Caps7:38
Goals7:2
Years8:2017–2019
Clubs8:Cambridge United
Caps8:39
Goals8:2
Years9:2018
Clubs9:Dover Athletic (loan)
Caps9:12
Goals9:1
Years10:2019–2020
Clubs10:Newport County
Caps10:12
Goals10:1
Years11:2020
Clubs11:Torquay United (loan)
Caps11:3
Goals11:1
Years12:2020–2021
Clubs12:Dover Athletic
Caps12:13
Goals12:2
Years13:2021–2022
Clubs13:Dartford
Caps13:36
Goals13:11
Years14:2022–2023
Clubs14:Welling United
Caps14:42
Goals14:15
Years15:2023–
Clubs15:Billericay Town
Caps15:15
Goals15:3
Nationalyears1:2012
Nationalteam1:England U19
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:17:10, 26 January 2024 (UTC)
Ntupdate:17:10, 26 January 2024 (UTC)

Adebayo Linford Kazim "Ade" Azeez (born 8 January 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Billericay Town. He began his career with Charlton Athletic, spending time on loan to Wycombe Wanderers, Leyton Orient, Torquay United and Dagenham & Redbridge before being released in 2014. He then played for AFC Wimbledon, making 85 appearances, before signing for Partick Thistle in 2016. He has represented the England under-19 team.

Early life

Azeez was born in Sidcup, and attended Coopers Technology College in Chislehurst both in South East London. As a youngster he was a promising gymnast, and trained at Bromley Valley Gymnastics Centre before leaving to concentrate on football. He moved to his local club, Rivercray and it was from here that he was spotted as a talent by Charlton Athletic and signed a scholarships in 2010.[3] Azeez is of Nigerian descent.[4] Ade Azeez has a son named Ade Junior, aged 4 years old with his partner who he met when they were both 15 years old.

Club career

Charlton Athletic

Azeez joined Charlton Athletic at the age of 14 and he progressed through the ranks before signing a professional contract in the summer of 2011. On 22 November 2012, Azeez was loaned to League Two side Wycombe Wanderers until January 2013.[5] Charlton's Manager Chris Powell believed it was a good move for Azeez and that he could learn from the experience.[6] He made his professional debut two days later, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute to replace Joel Grant in a 3–0 win against Burton Albion.[7] However, as he made his first start in the quarter final of the Southern Section of Football League Trophy against Yeovil Town, which they lost 2–0, Azeez sustained a hamstring injury in the 25th minute and had to come off.[8]

Soon after Charlton rejected an offer to have his loan with Wycombe extended,[9] Azeez made his debut for Charlton Athletic in the 1–0 home defeat to Huddersfield Town in the FA cup, replacing Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 78th minute.[10] After making his debut, Azeez said making his debut was something that he wanted to do at the club and was thankful to Powell for giving him the opportunity.[11]

On 18 January 2013 he signed on loan for Leyton Orient,[12] and made his only appearance for the club in a 2–0 away defeat at Doncaster Rovers the following day.[13] Azeez's loan spell with Leyton Orient came to an end on 18 February 2013.[14]

Azeez received a number 38 shirt for the 2013–14 season.[15] On 26 September 2013, Azeez joined League Two side Torquay United on a one-month youth loan.[16] Two days later he scored his first professional goal after coming on for Torquay in their 2–1 defeat to Newport County.[17] A week later, on 14 October 2013, Azeez scored again, in a 3–2 loss against Wycombe Wanderers.[18] Having scored twice in six games, Azeez had his loan spell with Torquay United extended for a further month.[19] After this extension Azeez returned to Charlton.[20]

On 8 February 2014 he signed for Dagenham & Redbridge on a one-month youth loan.[21] Two days later, on 10 February 2014, Azeez made his debut for the club, in a 2–0 loss against Hartlepool United.[22] On 10 March 2014, Azeez extended his loan with the "Daggers" for a further month, until 5 April 2014.[23] Days after extending his deal, on 11 March 2014, he scored his first goal for the club and then scored another, in a 2–1 win over Bristol Rovers.[24] His loan was extended even further on 9 April 2014, this time until the end of the 2013–14 season.[25] In the last game of the season Azeez scored his third goal for the club in a 3–2 win over Cheltenham Town.[26]

On 22 May 2014 he was released from Charlton Athletic in the summer upon expiry of his contract.[27]

AFC Wimbledon

On 26 June 2014 Azeez signed with League Two side AFC Wimbledon on a free transfer.[28] Upon joining the club, Azeez was given the number fourteen shirt ahead of the new season.[29]

After being an unused substitute in the opening game of the season, Azeez made his Wimbledon debut against Luton Town, where he came on for Matt Tubbs in a 1–0 victory.[30] Azeez scored his first Wimbledon goal on 30 August 2014, in a 3–2 defeat against Stevenage,[31] followed up scoring in the next game against Carlisle United.[32] Azeez scored two months later on 7 October 2014 against Milton Keynes Dons in a 3–2 victory.[33] Two months later on 28 December 2014, Azeez scored twice, in a 4–1 win over Exeter City.[34] Azeez then scored, in a 2–1 win over Accrington Stanley on 24 January 2015.[35] His seventh goal of the season came on 14 April 2015, in a 1–1 draw against Plymouth Argyle.[36] Spending much of the season as an impact substitute, he quickly became popular with the club's fans, with his pace often panicking tiring defenders.[37]

Partick Thistle

Ade Azeez signed for Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle on 15 June 2016. He was Alan Archibald's first summer signing of the 2016–17 season.[38] Azeez scored his first goal for Thistle in a 4–1 away win over Stenhousemuir in the Scottish League Cup.[39] Azeez scored his first league goal for Thistle in a 2–0 away win against Dundee at Dens Park, Azeez opened the scoring with a first half header.[40] Azeez scored his second league goal of the season during a shock 1–1 draw with champions Celtic at Celtic Park.[41] In all competitions, Azeez made 46 appearances for the Jags scoring three goals.

Cambridge United

On 5 July 2017 Partick Thistle accepted an undisclosed fee for Azeez from Cambridge. On 23 February 2018 Azeez joined Dover Athletic on loan. The loan was subsequently extended to the end of the 2017–18 season.[42]

Newport County

On 31 January 2019 Azeez joined Newport County on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[43] [44] He made his Newport debut on 23 February 2019 in the 2–0 League Two defeat against Milton Keynes Dons as a second half substitute.[45] He scored his first goal for Newport on 2 March 2019 in the 2–0 win against Carlisle United in League Two.[46] He was part of the team that reached the League Two playoff final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2019, although he was an unused substitute in the final.[47] He was injured in July 2019, and ruled out for 6 months.[48] On 11 February 2020, having recovered from the injury, Azeez joined Torquay United on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[49] On 14 September 2020 his contract at Newport was terminated by mutual consent.[50]

Dover Athletic

On 3 October 2020, Azeez joined National League side Dover Athletic, where he had previously spent time on loan, being one of four new signings on the day of the new season commencement.[51] He made his debut later that day in an opening day 1-0 victory over Notts County.[52] On 27 October 2020, he scored his first goal back at the club with the winner in a 3–2 victory over Eastleigh.[53] Following's Dover's decision to not play any more matches in the 2020–21 season, made in late January, and subsequent null and voiding of all results, on 5 May 2021 it was announced that Azeez was out of contract and had left the club.[54]

Dartford

On 16 June 2021, Azeez joined National League South side Dartford ahead of the 2021–22 season.[55] After scoring seven goals at a rate of one every 88 minutes, Azeez was awarded the league's Player-of-the-Month award for August/September 2021.[56]

On 27 May 2022, Azeez announced he would leave the club following the end of the 2021–22 season.

Welling United

On 31 May 2022, Azeez joined National League South side Welling United ahead of the 2022–23 season.[57]

Billericay Town

In May 2023, Azeez signed for Isthmian League Premier Division club Billericay Town.[58]

International career

On 19 September 2012, Azeez earned a call-up by England under-19.[59] Azeez made his debut for England on 28 September 2013, where he set up the third goal, as they beat Faroe Islands under-19, 6–0.[60] Azeez added two more caps for England under-19 against Ukraine under-19 on 1 October 2012[61] and another against Finland under-19, where he assisted the only goal in the game on 13 November 2012.[62]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Charlton Athletic2012–13Championship00100010
Wycombe Wanderers (loan)2012–13League Two401[63] 050
Leyton Orient (loan)2012–13League One1010
Torquay United (loan)2013–14League Two9210102
Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)2013–14League Two153153
AFC Wimbledon2014–15League Two43540003[64] 1506
2015–16League Two42710104[65] 1488
Total85125010729814
Partick Thistle2016–17Scottish Premiership3823051460
Cambridge United2017–18League Two130101010160
2018–19League Two262101145328
Total392202155488
Dover Athletic (loan)2017–18National League121121
Newport County2018–19League Two12130151
2019–20League Two0000000000
Total121000030151
Torquay United (loan)2019–20National League3131
Dover Athletic2020–21National League1321011153
Dartford2021–22National League South3611348[66] [67] [68] [69] 34718
Welling United2022–23National League South4215302[70] 24717
Billericay Town2023–24Isthmian League Premier Division153533[71] [72] 2238
Career totals3245524782301538679

Honours

AFC Wimbledon

2016[73]

Dartford

2019–20, 2021–22

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13 . 4 . The Football League . May 2013 . 15 June 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131012034401/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0%2C%2C10794~179534%2C00.pdf . 12 October 2013.
  2. Web site: Ade Azeez . 11v11 . 7 July 2016.
  3. News: Charlton hand deal to son of Bromley boss Mark Goldberg . BBC Sport . 21 April 2010 . 27 June 2014.
  4. Web site: Official: Adebayo Azeez Joins Leyton Orient On Loan . All Nigeria Soccer . 18 January 2013 . 8 February 2014.
  5. Web site: Ade Azeez joins Wycombe Wanderers from Charlton on loan . bbc.co.uk . 22 November 2012 . 1 December 2012.
  6. Web site: Powell hopeful over loan deals . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 22 November 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627211945/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20121122-powell-on-loans-503526.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  7. Web site: Wycombe Wanderers 3–0 Burton Albion . bbc.co.uk . 24 November 2012 . 1 December 2012.
  8. Web site: Loan watch: Injury for Azeez . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 5 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627212557/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20121205-loan-watch-527529.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  9. Web site: Mambo makes Shrews move . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 31 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627212810/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20121231-mamboshrews-570329.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  10. News: Charlton 0–1 Huddersfield . BBC Sport . 18 January 2013. 5 January 2013 .
  11. Web site: Cup debut delights striker . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 7 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627211146/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20130107-azeez-584157.aspx?pageView=full#anchored . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  12. News: Leyton Orient sign Charlton Athletic's Ade Azeez on loan . BBC Sport . 18 January 2013. 18 January 2013 .
  13. Web site: Doncaster Rovers 2–0 Leyton Orient . 19 January 2013 . BBC Sport.
  14. Web site: Loan watch: Mambo left out . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 18 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627213124/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20130218-loan-watch-shrewsbury-town-leyton-orient-yado-mambo-664411.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  15. News: 2013/14 squad numbers revealed . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 24 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627213706/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20130724-201314-squad-numbers-revealed-941910.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  16. Web site: United Sign Azeez . Torquayunited.com . 26 September 2013 . 8 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927221428/http://www.torquayunited.com/news/article/united-sign-azeez-1079131.aspx . 27 September 2013 . dead.
  17. News: Newport County 2–1 Torquay United . BBC Sport . 28 September 2013 . 27 June 2014.
  18. Web site: Loan watch: Ade doubles his tally . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 14 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627214403/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20131014-loan-watch-ade-doubles-his-tally-1113048.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  19. News: Azeez extends Torquay loan spell . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 28 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627214732/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20131028-azeez-extends-torquay-loan-spell-1141222.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  20. Web site: Loan watch: Fox makes debut . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 2 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627215114/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20131202-loan-watch-fox-makes-debut-1210626.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  21. Web site: Daggers Sign Charlton Striker . Daggers.co.uk . 8 February 2014 . 8 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627215557/http://www.daggers.co.uk/news/article/azeez-signing-1346359.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  22. Web site: LOAN WATCH: Azeez makes Daggers debut . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 10 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627215907/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140210-loan-watch-azeez-makes-daggers-debut-1349946.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  23. Web site: Striker Extends Loan At Daggers . Dagenham & Redbridge FC . 10 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627215625/http://www.daggers.co.uk/news/article/adebayo-azeez-contract-extension-1411046.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  24. News: Bristol Rovers 1–2 Dagenham & Redbridge . BBC Sport . 11 March 2014 . 27 June 2014.
  25. Web site: Charlton Striker Extends Loan . Dagenham & Redbridge FC . 9 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627215625/http://www.daggers.co.uk/news/article/adebayo-azeez-extends-loan-deal-1478790.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  26. Web site: LOAN WATCH: Hollands hits a hat-trick . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 6 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627220428/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140506-loan-watch-hollands-hits-a-hat-trick-1539145.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  27. Web site: Charlton announce list of released players . 22 May 2014 . Charlton Athletic FC . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627203322/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140522-charlton-released-list-1568946.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  28. Web site: Neal adds a third striker . 26 June 2014 . AFC Wimbledon . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627204240/http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/ade-azeez-story-1689660.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  29. Web site: Squad numbers for 2014/15 . AFC Wimbledon . 14 July 2014 . 2 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150702185034/http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/squad-numbers-for-201415-1764844.aspx . 2 July 2015 . live.
  30. News: Luton Town 0 – 1 AFC Wimbledon . BBC Sport . 16 August 2014 . 2 July 2015.
  31. News: AFC Wimbledon 2–3 Stevenage . BBC Sport . 30 August 2014 . 2 July 2015.
  32. News: Carlisle United 4–4 AFC Wimbledon . BBC Sport . 6 September 2014 . 2 July 2015.
  33. News: Milton Keynes Dons 2 – 3 AFC Wimbledon . BBC Sport . 7 October 2014 . 2 July 2015.
  34. News: AFC Wimbledon 4 – 1 Exeter City . BBC Sport . 28 December 2014 . 2 July 2015.
  35. News: AFC Wimbledon 2 – 1 Accrington Stanley . BBC Sport . 24 January 2015 . 2 July 2015.
  36. News: Plymouth Argyle 1–1 AFC Wimbledon . BBC Sport . 14 April 2015 . 2 July 2015.
  37. Web site: Azeez strives to improve . AFC Wimbledon . 14 October 2014 . 2 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150702185248/http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/azeez-interview-2015327.aspx . 2 July 2015 . live.
  38. Web site: Thistle make first summer signing . 15 June 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160618030328/http://ptfc.co.uk/news/2016-2017/june_2016/thistle_make_first_summer_signing . 18 June 2016.
  39. Web site: Scottish League Cup (Sky Sports) . SkySports . en. 1 June 2018.
  40. News: Dundee 0–2 Partick Thistle . 26 October 2016 . BBC Sport. 1 June 2018 . en-GB.
  41. News: Celtic 1–1 Partick Thistle . 5 April 2017 . BBC Sport. 1 June 2018 . en-GB.
  42. Web site: Ade Azeez: Dover Athletic extend Cambridge striker's loan until the end of the season. 21 March 2018. BBC Sport.
  43. Web site: Newport County sign Adebayo Azeez, Ben Kennedy and Harry McKirdy. 31 January 2019. BBC Sport.
  44. https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/17400322.newport-county-sign-cambridge-united-forward-adebayo-azeez/ Azeez joins Newport
  45. Web site: Milton Keynes Dons 2–0 Newport County. 23 February 2019. BBC Sport.
  46. Web site: Newport County 2–0 Carlisle United. 2 March 2019. BBC Sport.
  47. Web site: League Two play-off final: Newport County 0-1 Tranmere Rovers. Michael . Pearlman. 25 May 2019. BBC Sport. 6 December 2019.
  48. Web site: Ade Azeez: Newport County striker ruled out for six months. 15 July 2019. BBC Sport.
  49. https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18224784.newport-county-striker-ade-azeez-joins-torquay-united-loan/?action=success#comments-feedback-anchor Azeez loan to Torquay United
  50. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54151204 Azeez leaves Newport
  51. Web site: HESS MAKES HIS MOVE. www.doverathletic.co.uk. 3 October 2020.
  52. Web site: Dover Athletic 1-0 Notts County. BBC Sport. 3 October 2020. 4 October 2020.
  53. Web site: Dover Athletic 3–2 Eastleigh. BBC Sport. 27 October 2020.
  54. Web site: RETAINED AND RELEASED LIST. www.doverathletic.com. 5 May 2021. 5 May 2021.
  55. Web site: NEW SIGNING: ADE AZEEZ. www.dartfordfc.com. 16 June 2021. 16 June 2021.
  56. Web site: August/September National League South Award Winners Confirmed!. www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 11 October 2021.
  57. Web site: Welling United sign striker Ade Azzez from National League South rivals Dartford. www.kentonline.co.uk. 31 May 2022. 31 May 2022.
  58. Web site: Ade Azeez becomes first summer signing. www.billericaytownfc.co.uk. 14 May 2023. 21 May 2023.
  59. Web site: Azeez receives first England U19 call . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 19 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627204729/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20120919-azeez-cousins-u19-376959.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  60. News: Azeez assists for England . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 1 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627205719/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20121001-azeez-england-debut-399751.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  61. News: Azeez helps ensure England are Elite . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 2 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627210014/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20121002-azeez-england-v-ukraine-402508.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  62. Web site: Azeez makes England impact . Charlton Athletic FC . 27 June 2014 . 14 November 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627210319/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20121114-azeez-england-finland-485781.aspx . 27 June 2014 . dead.
  63. One appearance in the Football League Trophy
  64. Three appearances in the Football League Trophy
  65. Three appearances in League Two play-offs, one in Football League Trophy
  66. Three appearances in the FA Trophy
  67. One appearance in the London Senior Cup
  68. Three appearances in the Kent Senior Cup
  69. One appearance in the National League South play-offs
  70. Two appearances in the FA Trophy
  71. Two appearances in the FA Trophy
  72. One appearance in the Essex Senior Cup
  73. News: AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Plymouth Argyle . Brent . Pilnick . BBC Sport . 30 May 2016 . 24 December 2018.