Latest news with #UnionSaintGilloise
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Canada's Promise David attracting attention with Belgian soccer champs before transfer window
Soccer has already taken Promise David to Croatia, the United States, Malta, Estonia and Belgium. And the 23-year-old forward from Brampton, Ont., could be on the move again during the summer transfer window. There have been bumps along the way for David, who usually goes by Tobi (his full name is Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu). "I call it a journey through hell," David said with a smile. "I'm just trying to better myself as a football player and reach higher levels. But, yeah, from each place, I took a piece of football and added it to myself. And I think that's created the Tobi that's here today." For the time being, he is happy to be with Union Saint-Gilloise, which won its first Belgian league title in 90 years last month. "Best football I've ever played in my life," David said of Belgium. "I really take in every moment, because it might not last." While David is under contract to Union Saint-Gilloise, his goal-scoring exploits have attracted attention ahead of the June 15 opening of the transfer window. He recorded 24 goals in all competitions this season with eight of those coming in the 10-game championship round (the top six Belgian sides meet in a mini-league to decide the title). David is currently with Canada in Halifax preparing for the inaugural four-team Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto. The 30th-ranked Canadians open Saturday against No. 25 Ukraine before facing No. 41 Ivory Coast on Tuesday. David expects a large contingent of friends and family at BMO Field, noting they haven't seen him play live since high school. "I think I bought tickets for the entire stadium," he said. 'Had a nose for goal' Born in Brampton to Nigerian parents, David made his debut for the Nigerian under-23 side in October 2022. But in February, after talks with Canada coach Jesse Marsch, his request to switch allegiance was approved by FIFA. David started at the Toronto FC pre-academy, spending two or three years there before he was let go at 14. He found a new home with Vaughan SC where he excelled despite still growing into an imposing body that now measures six-foot-four and 209 pounds. "He almost looked clumsy when he ran. But he had a nose for goal," said Anthony Vadori, Vaughan's director of men's high performance. "He always found himself in front of goal with an opportunity to shoot." He also played with a smile on his face. "You could tell he loved to play; he wanted to learn so much, which was nice." said Vadori. After high school, David elected to go pro rather than the U.S. college route -- he only got one partial scholarship offer, from Appalachian State -- after negotiating a deadline with his parents to make it in soccer. "I asked for six months. And then six months turned into a year and a half. And that year and a half turned into two years. Two years turned in three. And then after three, I think they kind of realized I don't want to go to school." Dealt with racism as teen in Croatia After attending a tryout camp held by a Croatian second-division team in suburban Oakville in 2019, he found himself in Croatia two weeks later. That led to a move to third-division NK Trnje Zagreb where he played in the under-19 league against youth sides from top teams. "I was just exploring and discovering the world of football and other cultures," he said. It was not all fun, dealing with the language barrier and some racism. In 2021, he returned to North America to join FC Tulsa of the USL Championship where he played against older, more experienced players. "It forced me to grow, forced me to hit the gym. Forced me to understand how my body works and how to run at people, how to hit people, how to take hits," he said. The next year he went to Malta where he was initially assigned to the under-19 team at Valetta FC but was quickly promoted to the senior side. After the team survived relegation, he switched clubs and hit a roadblock at Sirens FC, where he didn't play. "It was horrible. But that's football," he said. In early 2023, he joined Estonia's Kalju FC where It took a coaching chance for him to get his chance with the senior side. He started scoring, which triggered the move to Belgium last July. Loves Union fans, teammates and coach For David, ignorance is bliss right now when it comes to a possible transfer. "Anything's possible," he said. "I just hope they don't tell me anything until it's ready to sign." "You can crack your brain thinking about it," he added. He could stay where he is. European cup football awaits, and David has grown to love Union's fans as well as his teammates and coach. He is an avid Chelsea fan, and devotee of club legend Didier Drogba. "It wasn't really the goal-scoring that got me, it was the playmaking ability and just the sheer strength and the problems [he presented] for defenders," he said. While going to a Chelsea game has long been on his bucket list, there is a caveat. "I kind of told myself I would not go to Chelsea unless I get to play there first, like against them," he said. "I told myself that a couple of years ago."
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Canada's Promise David scoring goals and attracting attention with Belgian champions
Soccer has already taken Promise David to Croatia, the United States, Malta, Estonia and Belgium. And the 23-year-old forward from Brampton, Ont., could be on the move again during the summer transfer window. Article content There have been bumps along the way for David, who usually goes by Tobi (his full name is Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu). Article content 'I call it a journey though hell,' David said with a smile. 'I'm just trying to better myself as a football player and reach higher levels. But, yeah, from each place, I took a piece of football and added it to myself. And I think that's created the Tobi that's here today.' Article content For the time being, he is happy to be with Union Saint-Gilloise, which won its first Belgian league title in 90 years last month. Article content 'Best football I've ever played in my life,' David said of Belgium. 'I really take in every moment, because it might not last.' Article content While David is under contract to Union Saint-Gilloise, his goal-scoring exploits have attracted attention ahead of the June 15 opening of the transfer window. He recorded 24 goals in all competitions this season with eight of those coming in the 10-game championship round (the top six Belgian sides meet in a mini-league to decide the title). Article content David is currently with Canada in Halifax, preparing for the inaugural four-team Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto. The 30th-ranked Canadians open Saturday against No. 25 Ukraine before facing No. 41 Ivory Coast on Tuesday. Article content David expects a large contingent of friends and family at BMO Field, noting they haven't seen him play live since high school Article content 'I think I bought tickets for the entire stadium,' he said. Article content Article content Born in Brampton to Nigerian parents, David made his debut for the Nigerian under-23 side in October 2022. But in February, after talks with Canada coach Jesse Marsch, his request to switch allegiance was approved by FIFA. Article content David started at the Toronto FC pre-academy, spending two or three years there before he was let go at 14. He found a new home with Vaughan SC where he excelled despite still growing into an imposing body that now measures six foot four and 209 pounds. Article content 'He almost looked clumsy when he ran. But he had a nose for goal,' said Anthony Vadori, Vaughan's director of men's high performance. 'He always found himself in front of goal with an opportunity to shoot.'
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
In numbers: Why Hearts made Kabangu's stay permanent
Following a promising second half of the season, Hearts have decided to make Elton Kabangu's loan stay from Union Saint-Gilloise a permanent Belgian striker was one of the first new faces in the Tynecastle club's data-driven Jamestown Analytics era, finishing the season as second top scorer with eight goals in all is pretty good going given the forward only signed in January and played just 18 games, but what makes his goals tally more impressive is the fact none of them came from the penalty you compare that to forwards who have played at least 10 Scottish Premiership games this season, Kabangu's non-penalty-goals average of 0.54 per 90 ranks him in the league's top the striker sits ninth for his expected goals tally of 0.5 per 90, and his shot (21%) and big chance (56%) conversion rates also place him high in the Premiership forward you narrow that search down to just Hearts players on a per-90 basis, Kabangu sits top for goals, expected goals and shots on target.A goals-per-90 average of 0.54 over a 38-game season would accumulate a very healthy return of 19, so now the challenge for the 27-year-old is maintaining that form over the course of an entire campaign under new boss Derek McInnes.
National Post
26-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Canadian Promise David leads Union to first Belgian league title in 90 years
Article content BRUSSELS — Union Saint-Gilloise sealed its first Belgian league title in 90 years with a 3-1 win over Genk on Sunday. Article content Article content Promise David, of Brampton, Ont., scored twice and Franjo Ivanovic added another goal to help the small Brussels club secure its first league title since 1935. Article content Union entered the final round of the championship playoffs with a one-point lead and after near misses in the past three seasons. Article content In 2022 and in 2024 Union led the regular season standings then faded in the playoffs to let Club Brugge take the title. The epic 2023 title race had a dramatic ending when a helicopter carrying league officials and the trophy had to turn away from Union's tiny Joseph Marien Stadium. Article content Only Union and Brugge were in title contention on Sunday. Brugge drew 1-1 with Antwerp to finish in second place, three points behind. Article content Union had a slow start to the season under new coach Pocognoli, after more sales of star players for eight-figure fees. Led by goals from David, Union moved up to third in the regular season standings. Article content
Khaleej Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Mac Allister brothers crowned champions on same day in different countries
Argentina's Mac Allister brothers Alexis and Kevin pulled off an unusual family feat on Sunday by lifting championship trophies on the same afternoon in different countries, though neither of them took part in their teams' final game of the season. Alexis got his hands on the Premier League trophy at Anfield after Liverpool secured the title last month, while his older brother Kevin endured a nervy afternoon in Belgium as his club Union Saint-Gilloise ended a 90-year wait for the championship. While Kevin was suspended for their last fixture of the season at home to Gent, where a 3-1 win was enough to see them win a first title since 1935, Alexis sat out Liverpool's final match at home to Crystal Palace to avoid injury. "I think he played throughout the last part of the season with the Argentinian mentality he has," Liverpool manager Arne Slot said. "Never gives up, no matter what he feels, but it is not smart to play a player that has, not a big injury but something to take a risk with." The 26-year-old midfielder, who was in the Argentina side that won the World Cup in Qatar, moved to Liverpool from Brighton Hove Albion two seasons ago and started 30 games in their title-winning campaign. Kevin, a year older, plays further back but exhibits the same resilient characteristics as his brother. Het Nieuwsblad described the defender on Monday as "a soldier who never gives up". "He played in recent weeks with a mask, a bandaged shoulder, and a taped knee, but refused to give up due to injury." Kevin said it had been tough not to be on the field helping his teammates. 'It was difficult to watch the game from the sidelines. I was calm, even though the first half wasn't our best," he told reporters. "I always try to keep the group calm. Sometimes emotions get too high and that's not good. I'm glad we stayed calm and finished it off.' A third brother, 29-year-old Francis, currently plays in Argentina's top flight with Insituto. All three brothers started at Argentinos Juniors, appearing together for the first time in 2017. Their father Carlos won three caps for Argentina and played at Boca Juniors, where he won a league championship in 1992.
