Official: Ekong joins Perugia

The young attacker has the chance to develop further at the Stadio Renato Curi where he is guaranteed more playing time

With a statement on their official website, AC Perugia Calcio have announced the signing of Italian-Swedish-Nigerian forward Emmanuel Ekong.

Emmanuel Ekong joins the Serie B side from Serie A campaigners Empoli on a loan agreement for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.

The 20-year-old has been at Empoli academy since 2018 where he was a key member of the youth side that won the 2020/2021 Spring Championship.

Ekong signed his first professional contract with Empoli in 2021 but has struggled to make a breakthrough into the senior team setup.

The young forward has been afforded only 18 minutes in the Serie A this term spread across two appearances.
At Perugia, Ekong will look to get more playing time in the Italian Serie B.

Perugia struggled in the league this season, winning only six of 22 games, and are stuck in the relegation zone. Last term, the Griffins finished 8th in the division.

Ekong’s international future

Born in Italy to parents of Nigerian parents, Emmanuel Ekong was raised in Sweden. This makes the young, exciting forward eligible to play for the three countries.

He has, however, represented Sweden at the youth level, featuring five times for the Sweden U19 team and scoring one goal.

Ekong’s Nigerian roots nonetheless remain deep, as his father, Prince Ekong was a former Super Eagles star who won nine caps for the three-time African champions.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Prince Ekong featured locally for Julius Berger before carving an impressive career playing for clubs in Italy, China, and Sweden, among others.