Convicted and banned in Denmark: Former Nigeria youth international returns to football in China

Former Nigeria youth international Akinkunmi Amoo has made his long-awaited return to football, featuring in Shanghai Jiading Huilong’s 1-0 defeat to Nantong Zhiyun in China’s League One, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 22-year-old playmaker, once hailed as one of Nigeria’s brightest young prospects, had been out of competitive action for 409 days following a turbulent spell in Denmark that ended in a criminal conviction and ban.

Amoo last played a professional match in January 2024 for Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia before parting ways with the club for “personal reasons” two months later.

However, his return to action in China marks the start of a fresh chapter after a career that has taken unexpected and, at times, troubling turns.

Shanghai Jiading Huilong’s head coach Wu Yizhen introduced Amoo at the start of the second half at the Rugao Olympic Sports Center Stadium with the scores still goalless.

However, the Nigerian’s presence could not prevent his side from falling to a narrow defeat as Chen Binbin struck in the 70th minute to secure victory for Nantong Zhiyun.

For Amoo, this represents a much-needed step forward after a difficult two years. Once regarded as a rising star of Nigerian football, his career has been overshadowed by legal troubles in Denmark, where he was convicted of multiple sexual assault charges.

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From Nigeria's rising star to controversy

Amoo first burst onto the scene at the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, where he played a key role for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets.

Later that year, he featured in the U-17 World Cup, further enhancing his reputation as one of the country’s most promising young players.

His performances attracted interest from top European clubs, but it was Swedish side Hammarby IF that secured his signature in 2020.

He quickly impressed, helping the club win the Svenska Cupen and drawing interest from Ajax, Leicester City, and Valencia.

His rapid rise culminated in a record-breaking €4.4 million transfer to FC Copenhagen in January 2022.

However, his move to Denmark turned into a nightmare.

Later that year, Amoo was arrested on charges of sexual assault, with incidents reportedly occurring between April and August 2022. He was convicted in June 2023 and sentenced to one year in prison.

Following an unsuccessful appeal in 2024, he was banned from Denmark and prohibited from returning for six years, as per Bold. 

A second chance in China?

After his release, Amoo struggled to find a new club. His short stint with Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus ended abruptly, leaving him without a team for much of 2024. But with his return to action in China, he now has an opportunity to rebuild his career.

While his legal history casts a long shadow, Amoo will hope to let his football do the talking in Shanghai.

The coming months will determine whether he can regain the form that once made him one of Nigeria’s most promising young players—or if his past will continue to define his future.