Joel Asoro

Joel Joshoghene Asoro (born 27 April 1999) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a winger for Cypriot First Division club Apollon Limassol and the Sweden national team.

Club career

Early career Asoro started his career in his local club IFK Haninge in a southern Stockholm suburb. When he was eleven years old he moved to IF Brommapojkarna, well known throughout Sweden for its youth academy which has produced players such as John Guidetti, Albin Ekdal, Simon Tibbling, Dejan Kulusevski and Ludwig Augustinsson. Asoro was targeted for some of Europe's leading clubs, among them Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus.

Sunderland Asoro signed for English side Sunderland in 2015. On 21 August 2016, a year after joining the club, Asoro made his professional debut in the Premier League against Middlesbrough, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute for Duncan Watmore; in doing so he became Sunderland's youngest Premier League player, as well as the youngest Swedish national to feature. On 24 August 2016, Asoro was given his first Sunderland start under manager David Moyes in a 1–0 victory over League One side Shrewsbury Town in an EFL Cup second round tie. Asoro later appeared as a starter in the EFL Cup Round 3 victory over Championship side Queens Park Rangers and was subbed off for Josh Maja. On 18 January 2017, Asoro came off the substitutes bench to feature in a 2–0 FA Cup 4th Round Replay defeat to Burnley. Asoro scored his first Sunderland goal in a 1–0 victory over Hull City on 20 January 2018.

Swansea City Asoro joined Swansea City on a four-year contract for a fee of £2 million in July 2018.

Loan to Groningen On 15 August 2019, Asoro agreed to a loan move to Eredivisie club Groningen for the 2019–20 season. He made 17 appearances and scored three goals for the side before the football season in the Netherlands was suspended in March.

Loan to Genoa On 16 September 2020, Asoro joined Serie A club Genoa on a season-long loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy.

Djurgårdens IF On 8 February 2021, Asoro signed with Allsvenskan club Djurgårdens IF, keeping him with the club until 31 December 2024.

Metz On 25 August 2023, Asoro joined Ligue 1 club Metz on a four-year contract, keeping him with the club until June 2027. On 16 September, Asoro scored his first goal with the Lorraine club, the only one in a 1–0 away win over Lens.

International career On 5 September 2016, Asoro made his debut for Sweden U21 starting the game against Spain in 1–1 draw.

Personal life Asoro's parents are from Nigeria. His sister, Abigail Glomazic is a professional basketball player who has played with the likes of CCC Polkowice and Sleza Wroclaw in Poland.

Career statistics

Club

Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Asoro goal.