Former Nigeria youth international Akinkunmi Amoo has made his long-awaited return to professional football, featuring in Shanghai Jiading Huilong’s 1-0 defeat to Nantong Zhiyun in China’s League One.
The 22-year-old midfielder, once regarded as one of Nigeria’s brightest young talents, had been absent from competitive football for over a year due to a turbulent period in Denmark that ended with a criminal conviction and subsequent ban.
Amoo last played professionally in January 2024 for Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia before mutually terminating his contract two months later for “personal reasons.”
A Fresh Start in China
Amoo’s return to action in China signals a new beginning after a career filled with highs and lows. Shanghai Jiading Huilong’s head coach, Wu Yizhen, introduced him at the start of the second half during their clash at the Rugao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, with the match still goalless.
He had is breakthrough with Swedish side Hammarby. Photo by Getty Images
Despite his presence, the team fell to a narrow defeat after a 70th-minute goal by Chen Binbin sealed victory for Nantong Zhiyun.
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For Amoo, stepping back onto the pitch marks a significant moment following a challenging two years. Once seen as a rising star in Nigerian football, his career was derailed by legal troubles in Denmark, where he was convicted of multiple sexual assault charges.
From Rising Star to Controversy
Amoo first gained attention at the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, playing a key role for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets. He further impressed at the FIFA U-17 World Cup later that year, attracting interest from top European clubs.
Amoo was one of the star of the 2019 Golden Eaglets. Photo Getty Images
Swedish side Hammarby IF secured his signature in 2020, and his stellar performances helped them win the Svenska Cupen. His talent drew interest from clubs like Ajax, Leicester City, and Valencia, culminating in a record €4.4 million transfer to FC Copenhagen in January 2022.
However, his time in Denmark took a dark turn. Later that year, he was arrested on charges of sexual assault, with incidents reportedly occurring between April and August 2022.
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In June 2023, he was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison. After an unsuccessful appeal in 2024, he was banned from Denmark for six years.
A National Team Opportunity Denied
In early 2022, Amoo was considered by Nigeria head coach Augustine Eguavoen as a replacement for Odion Ighalo in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations squad. However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rejected the call-up request.
“We wanted to call up Silas Nwankwo or Akinkunmi Amoo to replace Ighalo, but CAF insisted that we can’t because the change isn’t injury-enforced,” Eguavoen revealed to the media at the time.
Following his release, Amoo struggled to find a new club. His short-lived stint with Omonia Nicosia ended abruptly, leaving him in limbo for much of 2024. Now, with an opportunity in China, he has a chance to rebuild his career and prove himself once again.
