Ernest Poku

Ernest Poku (born 28 January 2004) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for AZ Alkmaar.

Ernest Poku

Personal information
Date of birth	(2004-01-28) 28 January 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	AZ Alkmaar
Number	21
Youth career
0000–2019	FC Amsterdam
2019–2021	AZ Alkmaar
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–	Jong AZ	54	(15)
2021–	AZ	28	(1)
International career‡
2020	Netherlands U16	2	(0)
2022	Netherlands U19	6	(1)
2023–	Netherlands U21	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 November 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:18, 25 March 2024 (UTC)

Club career

Having joined the club from FC Amsterdam in summer 2019, he signed his first professional contract with AZ Alkmaar in February 2020, with the contract valid until mid-2023.^[2][3] On 30 April 2021, he made his debut for Jong AZ as a substitute in a 1–0 win over Roda JC.^[4][5] He trained with the club's first team during the pre-season for the 2021–22 season,^[6] and made his debut for AZ as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat to RKC Waalwijk in the opening match of the season on 14 August 2021.^[7][4]

International career

Born in the Netherlands, Poku is of Ghanaian descent.^[8] He made 2 appearances for the Netherlands national under-16 team in 2020.^[9] In 2022 he was named in the Dutch U19 squad.^[10] He scored his first goal for the Dutch U19 side against Ukraine U19 in June 2022.^[11]

Career statistics

As of match played 2 November 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Europe		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Jong AZ	2020–21	Eerste Divisie	3	0	—		—		3	0
	2021–22	Eerste Divisie	22	2	—		—		22	2
	2022–23	Eerste Divisie	15	2	—		—		15	2
	2023–24	Eerste Divisie	14	11	—		—		14	11
	Total		54	15	—		—		54	15
AZ	2021–22	Eredivisie	4	0	0	0	2[a]	0	6	0
	2022–23	Eredivisie	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2023–24	Eredivisie	20	1	2	1	6[b]	0	28	2
	2024–25	Eredivisie	4	0	0	0	2[a]	0	6	0
	Total		28	1	2	1	10	0	40	2
Career total			82	16	2	1	10	0	92	17

1. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
2. Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

References

1. "Ernest Poku". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
2. "AZ 'houdt spits (16) uit handen van Ajax' en schotelt profcontract voor". Voetbalprimeur (in Dutch). 14 February 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
3. Zwartkruis, Simon (5 August 2021). "De toekomst van AZ: 'Eerste jeugdtoernooi Poku met ons was onvergetelijk'". Voetbal International (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 August 2021.
4. "E. Poku". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
5. Willems, Marijn (7 May 2021). "Ernest Poku blij met debuut voor Jong AZ". NH Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 August 2021.
6. Wanst, Rob (11 July 2021). "Alkmaarse groeibriljant Ernest Poku laat zich zien in de voorbereiding". NH Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 August 2021.
7. Swagers, Stef (14 August 2021). "Matig AZ begint competitie met nederlaag bij RKC Waalwijk". NH Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 August 2021.
8. "Ghanaian teen Ernest Poku included in AZ Alkmaar pre-season squad". GhanaSoccernet. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
9. "Ernest Poku » Internationals". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
10. "FINAL SELECTION UNDER 19 FOR THE FIRST EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING ROUND". Onsiranje.nl.
11. "Ghanaian teen Ernest Poku scores in Netherlands U19's defeat to Ukraine". Ghanasoccernet.com.

External links

• Career stats - Voetbal International