Hope Akpan

Hope Ini Ita Akpan (born 14 August 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Widnes.

He came through the youth ranks at Everton, making his first-team debut in 2009. He later played for Hull City (on loan), Crawley Town, Reading, Blackburn Rovers, Burton Albion and Bradford City. He became Bradford City's captain in March 2019, but lost the captaincy at the end of that season. He left the club at the end of the following season, signing for Finnish club SJK in January 2021. He left the club in July 2021. In January 2022 he returned to England and played non-league football with Atherton Laburnum Rovers and Widnes.

Born in England, he represents Nigeria at international level.

Club Career

Everton

Born in Liverpool, Merseyside, Akpan began his career at Everton at eight years old and after progressing through the ranks, he became a regular for the academy under coach Neil Dewsnip. Then in 2008, Akpan was promoted to the club's reserve under coach Andy Holden and signed his first professional contract by the end of the year.

Having been included in the first team as an unused substitute in the 2009–10 season, Akpan made his competitive debut for Everton against BATE on 17 December 2009 in the UEFA Europa League.

On 17 March 2011, Akpan moved on loan to Championship side Hull City for the remainder of the 2010–11 season. Akpan made his Hull City debut, where he came on as a substitute for Corry Evans in the early first half substitute, and set up a goal for David Amoo, in a 1–1 draw against Queens Park Rangers on 25 April 2011. He also made another appearance in the last game of the season, in a 3–0 loss against Bristol City. Akpan went on to make no more appearances for Hull City and upon returning to his parent club, he was released by the club.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Хоуп Акпан (russian)