German defender Kelvin Akpoguma switches allegiance to Nigeria

• He is a Nigerian professional footballer
• He plays as a centre-back for Hoffenheim
• He represents the Nigerian national team

Kelvin Akpoguma is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Hoffenheim and the Nigeria national team.

The player was born in Germany to a Nigerian father and German mother making him eligible to play for both countries since he has dual citizenship.

He began his youth career with FC Neureut before joining Karlsruher, Fortuna Dusseldorf, Hannover and Hoffenheim. 

Akpoguma is a talented defender who has the potential to become a key player for Nigeria in the years to come. He made his debut for the Nigeria national team being capped 13 times and was part of the squad that won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Kelvin Akpoguma Biography

Net Worth

In 2023, Kevin Akpoguma has an estimated net worth of about $5 million according to online sources, which he earns through his successful career in salary, wages, bonuses and endorsements.

Kevin Akpoguma. Photo/Sport.de

Kelvin earns a salary of $977,423 per year and $18,797 per week while playing for Hoffenheim in a contract that is bound to expire in June 2024.

In 2021, he was earning a salary of $819,577 per year or $15,764 per week. In recent years Kevin’s salary has increased due to his good performance for Hoffenheim and his international recognition in Nigeria, promoting his net worth value.

He happens to be one of the best-paid Nigerian players in the world.

Personal Life

Kevin Ufuoma Akpoguma was born on April 19 1995 in Germany to his Nigerian father and German mother. Brought up in Neustadt an der Weinstrabe Germany, he began playing football at a young age joining FC Neureut before joining Karlsruher SC.

Akpoguma is married with two children and he is a devout Christian believer known for his charitable work. Among the charity projects is Hope For Children a charity that provides healthcare and education to children in need in Nigeria.

Kevin has also partnered with World Vision, a Christian organization that creates awareness about child labour and helps the affected children.

Akpoguma is also a member of the Common Goal, an initiative by professional footballers who pledged to donate 1% of their salaries to charity. He has also supported UNICEF’s work in Nigeria by donating and raising awareness of girl child’s education.

These are just some of the programmes he has been involved in but they are quite a number.

Career

Akpoguma is a professional football player who plays as a centre back for Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim. Born in Germany, he was a youth international for Germany but switched and now represents the Nigeria national team.

Having begun his professional career with Karlsruher SC, he made several appearances for the club before joining Fortuna Dusseldorf, helping them earn promotion to the Bundesliga.

He then joined 1899 Hoffenheim helping the club reach the Europa League final. Being a citizen of both Nigeria and Germany, he is eligible to play for both countries.

Kevin Akpoguma. Photo/Sport.de

At the youth level, he represented Germany in the under-16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and U21 teams. He then opted to play for Nigeria’s national team and was part of the squad that won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He has achieved so much in his career and here are some of his achievements;

• He was the champion in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
• He became the runner-up in the 2019 Europa League
• He became a champion in two Bundesliga Tournaments with Fortuna Dusseldorf
• He was a champion at the Regionalliga Sudwest with Karlsruher SC 11
• He won the Baden Cup with Karlsruher SC in season 2012-13

Akpoguma’s defensive style helps him read the game and he is thus able to anticipate danger, has the potential to be a key player in the years to come since his career is on the verge of peak.

The player is inspired by several things in his career;

• His family and friends
• His determination
• His faith in God
• His coaches and teammates.

Just like any other player, Kevin has a dream of winning a Champions League with Hoffenheim and wishes to join a top club for England or Spain, and would also want to be a regular starter for the Nigeria national team to help them win trophies.