When Union Saint-Gilloise said goodbye to Victor Boniface in August last year, they might not have expected another Nigerian to step into his shoes and become their next big star.
But Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu is doing just that, taking up the club’s goalscoring mantle in spectacular fashion.
Filling the void left by Boniface
Boniface joined Union SG in August 2022 from Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt as a relatively unknown forward for just over €6 million.
Despite his history of injuries, he thrived, scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists in 51 games, including six goals in the Europa League, where he finished as joint top scorer.
When Bayer Leverkusen came calling with a record €21.7 million offer in 2023, Union SG couldn’t refuse, but replacing Boniface was always going to be a challenge.
After several attempts, they seem to have struck gold with Promise David.
David’s path to Belgium
Promise David’s journey to Union SG has been anything but straightforward.
Born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, he started at Toronto FC Academy before moving to Vaughan Azzurri.
In 2019, his football journey took him to Croatia, where he joined the youth setup at Trnje.
But after struggling to break through in Europe, he returned to North America in 2021, signing with Tulsa’s academy.
When it was time for a professional contract, big clubs weren’t lining up, so David took a chance in Malta, signing a short-term deal with Valletta in 2022.
It wasn’t easy, but he worked his way up, scoring a crucial goal to take Valletta to the FA Trophy final.
By mid-2022, he moved to Sirens, where his hard work continued.
In February 2023, Estonian club Nõmme Kalju signed him for €60,000, marking the first transfer fee ever paid for him.
At Kalju, David scored 14 goals and added three assists in just 16 matches, and Union SG took notice.
In July 2024, the Belgian club paid €400,000 to bring him to Belgium, with performance-based add-ons that could take the deal up to €600,000.
David’s bright start at Union SG
David hasn’t wasted any time making his mark.
He debuted in July during Union SG’s Belgian Super Cup win over Club Brugge, picking up the first trophy of his career. Since then, he’s scored eight goals and provided one assist in 13 matches across all competitions.
He’s Union SG’s joint-top scorer in the Belgian Pro League with four goals and leads the Croky Cup charts with another four.
Last night, he grabbed a brace to help Union SG edge KAA Gent 3-2 in the Croky Cup, taking his tally to seven goals in his last six games.
If David keeps up this form, he could follow in Boniface’s footsteps and attract interest from Europe’s top clubs sooner rather than later.
The battle for David’s international future
Born in Canada to Nigerian parents, David is eligible to represent both nations.
Nigeria took the first step, calling him up for the U23 team in 2022 during their U-23 AFCON qualifiers. He made two appearances, but until he earns a senior cap, Canada remain an option.
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With his rapid rise in Belgium, Canada might be tempted to make their move.
A pairing of Promise David and Lille’s Jonathan David would excite Canadian fans, but Nigeria have the advantage of already introducing him to their system.
The Super Eagles could certainly use his skills, especially with the current crop of strikers struggling to replicate their club form on the international stage.
David’s speed, technical ability, and knack for scoring goals could make him a vital asset.
For Nigeria and Canada, the race is on.
Whoever wins David’s loyalty will gain a player with the potential to shape their future for years to come. For now, though, Union SG are the ones enjoying his magic, and they’re not complaining.
