By Onyekachi Chimezie
Former MFM FC of Lagos solid-rock centre-back Joshua Akpudje has signed for Czech Liga 1 club FK Jablonec from Latvian side BFC Daugavpils until June 30, 2024.
The 24-year-old Femmak Football Academy graduate has been working in Latvia since 2020 when he left Nigeria.
Akpudje spent the next season on loan after joining BFC Daugavpils singing for Lithuanian club FK Panevėžys.
The defender has signed a deal until 2024 with Czech side FK Jablonec after spending two seasons in Latvia with Daugavpils and FK Panevėžys.
Speaking in an interview on the club’s Official website, Joshua Akpudje expressed his joy in taking the next step in his career.
“I will be grateful to God for this opportunity. It’s every dream of a young player coming up as a kid, coming up better and pushing themselves for the future.
“At first I feel welcomed, I am blessed to be here so it is my time to get back to work and start working hard for the club,” Joshua said.
” I feel loved, everyone is nice, everyone is amazing. The first day I met the coach he made me feel like his son, it is amazing. The players and the dressing room is full of fun, I feel more welcomed in the team.
Joshua Akpudje who made his international debut for the Nigerian U23 side in March 2019 against Libya in an Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualification game speaks on the need to learn the language in his new home.
“I think that will be something that will be difficult for me (laughs), but I just have to try my best and learn some important words that I need on the pitch to communicate with my teammates.
In preparation for his upcoming club debut, Joshua Akpujde, who has been in Jablonec since their round six 1-1 draw with Sparta Prague at home, was in attendance as his team fell to Teplice on Saturday.
“I was so happy to be here for the game because it was a very good game and nobody expected the result from the guys. The guys gave their best even when they got two red cards, I saw the commitment, aggressiveness and hunger from the players which is what every club needs and which I saw, I have to give mine and give 100% so we can achieve what we want to achieve this season.”
The 192 cm tall defender will hope to jump straight into the starting XI when his team FK Jablonec play Hradec Kralove next Sunday in game week eight of the season.
