Michael Folabi Dokunmu (born 9 April 2006) is a South African professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Dutch Eerste Divisie side Vitesse. He is regarded as a promising young player in South Africa.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Folabi Dokunmu[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 9 April 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Kimberley, South Africa[1] | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Vitesse | ||
| Number | 29 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Little Kickers | |||
| Old Parks | |||
| Randburg FC | |||
| SuperSport United | |||
| 2020– | Vitesse | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Vitesse | 1 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2023– | South Africa U17 | 2 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 August 2024 | |||
Early life
editDokunmu was born in Kimberley, South Africa, to a Nigerian father and a South African mother.[2]
Club career
editDokunmu started his career at a number of youth clubs in South Africa before joining professional side SuperSport United.[2] In December 2019, his mother accepted a job in the Netherlands, and Dokunmu's family moved to the country.
The following summer, he went on trial with Eredivisie side Vitesse, before being accepted into their academy.[2] He signed his first professional contract with the club in August 2022.[2][3] He became Vitesse's third-youngest debutant, behind Brahim Darri and Mitchell van Bergen, when he appeared in a friendly game against SC Heerenveen.[2]
International career
editEligible to represent South Africa and Nigeria through his parents, as well as the Netherlands, he was called up to the under-17 side of the latter for a training camp in January 2023.[2][4] However, in April of the same year, he switched his international allegiance to South Africa, and was called up to their under-17 side ahead of the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.[5] He stated that he had chosen to represent South Africa as it was his birthplace, and that he hoped to represent the nation's senior squad in future.[5]
Personal life
editHis brother, Ethan, is also a footballer, and currently also plays in the academy of Vitesse.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b Michael Dokunmu at WorldFootball.net
- ^ a b c d e f g "Michael Dokunmu groeit bij Vitesse" [Michael Dokunmu is growing at Vitesse]. vitesse.nl (in Dutch). 29 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ Droog, Julian (19 August 2022). "Zuid-Afrikaans talent tekent eerste contract bij Vitesse" [South African talent signs first contract with Vitesse]. gelderlander.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (13 January 2023). "Netherlands make move to beat Nigeria, South Africa to talented Vitesse midfielder". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ a b Qoshe, Yolulwe (18 April 2023). "EXCLUSIVE: Michael Dokunmu ' Why I chose South Africa over Nigeria'". thesouthafrican.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
External links
edit- Michael Dokunmu at Soccerway