Ahmed Abdullahi (footballer)

Ahmed Abdullahi (born 19 June 2004) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Sunderland.

Ahmed Abdullahi

Personal information
Date of birth	(2004-06-19) 19 June 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth	Nasarawa, Nigeria
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Sunderland
Youth career
	HB Academy Abuja
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–2024	Jong Gent	38	(21)
2024	Gent	2	(0)
2024–	Sunderland	0	(0)
International career‡
2022–	Nigeria U20	7	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 25 August 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16:14, 24 February 2023 (UTC)

Club career

In 2021, Abdullahi went on trial with French side Olympique de Marseille and German side Borussia Dortmund, with Belgian side Gent also showing interest.^[1] He went on to sign for the latter, despite interest from a number of other clubs across Europe.^[2][3]

On 30 August 2024, Abdullahi signed a four-year contract with Sunderland.^[4]

International career

Abdullahi was called up to the Nigerian under-20 side for the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.^[5] He had to forego his salary for a month at club side Gent to play in the tournament, as the Belgian club did not view the under-20 competition as important enough to miss training sessions for.^[6] He received a red card in the first game against Senegal; a second yellow for dangerous play.^[6]

Career statistics

Club

As of 7 September 2024^[7]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Gent	2024–25	Belgian Pro League	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Jong Gent	2023–24	Eerste Nationale	28	21	0	0	0	0	28	21
Gent	2023–24	Belgian Pro League	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Jong Gent	2022–23	Eerste Nationale	10	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
Career total			40	21	0	0	0	0	40	21

Notes

References

1. Achi, Francis (31 August 2021). "Exclusive : Dortmund, Marseille, Gent battles to sign Golden Eaglets striker, Abdullahi after scoring 15 goals". totorinews.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
2. "Flying Eagles striker Ahmed Abdullahi joins Gent". scorenigeria.com.ng. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
3. Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (1 August 2022). "Gent win the race for Man Utd, Dortmund, Feyenoord target Abdullahi; medical". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
4. "Ahmed Abdullahi completes deadline-day move". Sunderland. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
5. "Flying Eagles Profiles: The 21 players selected for U20 AFCON". scorenigeria.com.ng. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
6. Audu, Samm (23 February 2023). "EXCLUSIVE: Ahmed Abdullahi surrenders salary to join Flying Eagles". scorenigeria.com.ng. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
7. Ahmed Abdullahi at Soccerway