Get To Know William Troost-Ekong: Biography

William Troost-Ekong is a professional footballer from Nigeria. He plays as a center-back for PAOK Thessaloniki and the Nigerian national team. Troost-Ekong has been a part of various clubs, such as Watford, Udinese, and Bursaspor.

He’s earned several awards, including the Best Player title at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Not only is he known for his skills on the field, but he’s also recognized for his commitment to sustainability.

Troost-Ekong collaborated with the eco-friendly football brand Sokito for the first-ever carbon-neutral transfer in international football.

Meet William Troost-Ekong: Introductions

William Troost-Ekong, the Nigerian footballer, is making waves at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). His exceptional leadership has propelled Nigeria to the AFCON final, capturing the attention of fans worldwide.

Biography

William Paul Troost-Ekong, born on September 1st, 1993, in Haarlem, Netherlands, is a distinguished professional footballer known for his prowess as a centre back.

At the age of 30 (as of 2024), he is currently showcasing his skills with the Turkish club Bursaspor while proudly representing the Nigerian national team.

Early Life and Education Background

William Troost-Ekong’s roots can be traced back to Etinan in Akwa Inom State, Nigeria. Raised just outside Amsterdam in the Netherlands, he was deeply influenced by his Nigerian heritage despite his Dutch upbringing.

He exhibited academic excellence but his passion for football led him to join the Tottenham Hotspur academy at 16, following a brief stint with the Fulham academy in England.

Parents and Siblings

William Troost-Ekong comes from a culturally rich background. His father hails from Etinan in Akwa Inom State, Nigeria, while his mother, Eleanore Troost, brings a Dutch influence to the family.

He shares his journey with a junior brother and an older sister, and the dynamics of sibling relationships have greatly impacted his character and resilience.

Personal Life

Beyond his football career, William Troost-Ekong is a devoted family man. He tied the knot with Molly in a private ceremony on October 17, 2021, in London.

The couple has been together since 2014 and is blessed with a son named Oscar, born in 2018. As a committed Christian, he strives to be a positive role model, inspiring young individuals to pursue their dreams.

William Troost-Ekong Net Worth

William Troost-Ekong, a player for PAOK in the Superleague Greece, is estimated to have a net worth between $4 million and $5 million as of January 2024.

His weekly salary amounts to £16,000, which adds up to an annual income of £832,000.

Career

Troost-Ekong went to secondary school at Hockerill Anglo-European College in Bishop’s Stortford, England. He played youth football for Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur in England.

William Troost-Ekong started his senior career in the Netherlands with FC Groningen and FC Dordrecht. After being linked with transfers to Celtic among others, he joined Belgian club KAA Gent in July 2015 and was then loaned to Norwegian club FK Haugesund.

In July 2017, Troost-Ekong signed for Turkish Süper Lig club Bursaspor. On 17 August 2018, William joined Italian Serie A club Udinese. He played 35 league games in his first season, helping Udinese to 12th position.

In the next season, Udinese finished 13th, with two more points. William played full matches in memorable victories against AC Milan and Juventus during his time at Udinese.

On 29 September 2020, Troost-Ekong signed for EFL Championship side Watford on a five-year contract. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 win over Coventry City on 7 November 2020.

On 24 January 2023, Troost-Ekong signed for Serie A club Salernitana on loan with the option to buy at the end of the season. Troost Ekong was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother, Eleanore Troost, and a Nigerian father. He has two siblings, Emily and Everest.

Despite representing the Netherlands at under-19 and under-20 youth levels, Troost-Ekong chose to represent Nigeria. He made his senior international debut for the Super Eagles on 13 June 2015, playing 90 minutes in an AFCON qualifying match against Chad.

He made three starts for the senior team in 2016 before being selected for Nigeria’s under-23 team in their 35-man provisional squad for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. In June 2018, he was named in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Troost-Ekong was named in the country’s 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored an 89th-minute winner against South Africa to send his team through to the semi-finals on the way to a third-place finish.

He captained the Super Eagles in the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and was named in the tournament Technical Study Group’s Best XI of the Group Stage, scoring against Guinea-Bissau. Nigeria was knocked out by Tunisia in the following round.

During the 2022 World Cup qualification third round, he scored a penalty in the second leg match against Ghana, which ended in a 1–1 draw and a defeat on the away goals rule; hence, his nation failed to reach the main tournament in Qatar.

On 29 December 2023, William Troost-Ekong was named in the 25-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. He converted a penalty in a 1–0 win in the second group stage match against Ivory Coast.

In the semi-final match against South Africa, he scored another penalty to grant his team the lead in a 1–1 draw, before scoring during the shootouts which ended in a 4–2 win.

He later scored the first goal in the final match against Ivory Coast which ended in a 2–1 defeat. Nonetheless, he managed to win the Player of the Tournament award.

His tally of five goals at the AFCON is the current record for the highest number of goals scored by a defender in the history of AFCON.

Honors and Recognitions

Troost-Ekong’s contributions to football have not gone unnoticed. He won a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics with Nigeria’s under-23 team, showcasing his prowess on the international stage.