Nathan Opoku Explained

Nathan Opoku
Fullname:Nathaniel Opoku
Birth Date:22 July 2001
Birth Place:Accra, Ghana
Height:182cm
Position:Forward, attacking midfielder
Currentclub:Leicester City
Youthclubs1:FDM Field Masters
Collegeyears1:2021
College1:Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders
Collegecaps1:19
Collegegoals1:19
Collegeyears2:2022
College2:Syracuse Orange
Collegecaps2:25
Collegegoals2:11
Years1:2022
Clubs1:Ventura County Fusion
Caps1:16
Goals1:11
Years2:2023–
Clubs2:Leicester City
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2023–2024
Clubs3:OH Leuven (loan)
Caps3:27
Goals3:5
Club-Update:29 May 2024

Nathaniel Opoku is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a forward or an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Leicester City.

Early life

Opoku started playing football in Ghana with the FDM Field Masters where he was a teammate of Kamal Sowah.[1]

Career

College in United States

Opoku played for Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky, where he scored 19 goals and five assists in 19 games in 2021.[2]

In 2022, Opoku transferred to Syracuse University, where he became a prominent striker in the Atlantic Coast Conference under head coach Ian McIntyre.[3] He helped Syracuse Orange men's soccer team win the National Championship in the 2022 NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament, scoring in the final before they defeated eight-time NCAA Champions Indiana 7-6 on penalties.[4] He totaled 11 goals and eight assists in 25 matches for Syracuse.[5] At the end of the 2022 season, Opoku was named to United Soccer Coaches’ Third-Team All-America and All-ACC First Team[6] as well as he was the NCAA College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player,[7] 2022 NCAA All-Tournament Team honoree.[8]

Ventura County Fusion

Opoku played for Ventura County Fusion in USL League Two in 2022. He played and was named as the MVP as Fusion defeated the Long Island Rough Riders to win the USL League Two championship in 2022.[9] Opoku scored 11 goals in 16 appearances in 2022 for Ventura County Fusion.[10]

Leicester City and loan to Belgium

In January 2023, Opoku was reported to have signed for Premier League club Leicester City and loaned to Belgian club OH Leuven for six months.[11] [12] According to Sky Sports News, Opoku rejected the opportunity to be a top pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft in favour of the European move.[13] Opoku scored his first league goal for Leuven on April 8, 2023 in a 4–1 home win against KV Mechelen.[14]

Personal life

Opoku is from Accra, Ghana.[15]

Honours

Syracuse University

Ventura County Fusion

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. NATHAN OPOKU NAAR OH LEUVEN. Ohleuven.com.
  2. News: Carlisle . Jeff . Leicester sign forward Opoku out of Syracuse . 1 February 2023 . . 31 January 2023 . en.
  3. News: Bambini . Cole . Nathan Opoku reportedly signing with Premier League's Leicester City. . January 31, 2023 . January 31, 2023.
  4. News: Camargo . Alberto . Syracuse wins the 2022 Men's College Cup on PKs after dramatic 2-2 draw . 13 December 2022 . . 13 December 2022 . en.
  5. News: Opoku Signs With Leicester City F.C. . 1 February 2023 . . January 31, 2023 . en.
  6. 2022 All-ACC Men's Soccer Team Announced . . Atlantic Coast Conference. November 9, 2022. November 10, 2022.
  7. NCAASoccer. December 12, 2022. 1602495006232793089. Russell Shealy is the Defensive MOP!!! Congratulations to Nathan Opoku on being named the 2022 Most Outstanding Offensive Player of The NCAA Tournament! #MCollegeCup x @CuseMSOC.
  8. Web site: Nathan Opoku . 2022 . cuse.com.
  9. Web site: Ventura County Fusion win 2022 League Two Playoff Final. USL League Two.
  10. Web site: Nathaniel Opoku. uslleaguetwo.com.
  11. News: Leicester City 'complete' first transfer deadline day signing. . 31 January 2023 . en.
  12. News: Foxes sign youngster Opoku before loan move. BBC Sport.
  13. News: Bloomer . Danny . Nathan Opoku in profile as Leicester City seal deadline day transfer . 1 February 2023 . . 31 January 2023 . en.
  14. Web site: Ghanaian youngster Nathaniel Opoku scores debut goal, assists as OH Leuven thrash KV Mechelen. kickgh.com. April 8, 2023. April 8, 2023.
  15. Web site: Leicester City sign Ghanaian youngster Nathan Opoku. Ghanasoccernet.com.
  16. Web site: Syracuse Downs Clemson, 2-0, to Win 2022 ACC Men's Soccer Championship . 2023-02-01 . The ACC . en.
  17. Web site: Syracuse Wins 2022 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship . 2023-02-01 . theacc.com . en.
  18. Web site: 2022-08-07 . Ventura County Fusion win 2022 League Two Playoff Final . 2023-02-01 . USL League Two . en-us.
  19. Web site: 2022-08-07 . Ventura County Fusion win 2022 League Two Playoff Final . 2023-02-01 . USL League Two . en-us.
  20. Web site: September 21, 2022 . 2022 USL League Two All-League teams Announced . uslleaguetwo.com . USL League Two.
  21. Web site: September 9, 2022 . 2022 USL League Two All-Conference Teams Announced . uslleaguetwo.com . USL League Two.
  22. Web site: Syracuse Wins 2022 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship . 2023-02-01 . theacc.com . en.
  23. Web site: November 9, 2022 . 2022 All-ACC Men's Soccer Team Announced . November 10, 2022 . theacc.com . Atlantic Coast Conference.
  24. Web site: December 9, 2022 . 2022 NCAA Division I Men's All-Americans Announced . December 13, 2022 . United Soccer Coaches.