Michael Dokunmu

Michael Folabi Dokunmu (born 9 April 2006) is a South African professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Dutch side Vitesse.

Michael Dokunmu
Personal information
Full name Michael Folabi Dokunmu[1]
Date of birth (2006-04-09) 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 58
Youth career
0000 Little Kickers
0000 Old Parks
0000 Randburg FC
0000 SuperSport United
2020– Vitesse
International career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– South Africa U17 2 (1)

Early life

Dokunmu was born in Kimberley, South Africa, to a Nigerian father and a South African mother.[2]

Club career

Dokunmu 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

Eligible 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

His brother, Ethan, is also a footballer, and currently also plays in the academy of Vitesse.[2]

References
  1. Michael Dokunmu at WorldFootball.net
  2. "Michael Dokunmu groeit bij Vitesse" [Michael Dokunmu is growing at Vitesse]. vitesse.nl (in Dutch). 29 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  3. 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.
  4. Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (13 January 2023). "Netherlands make move to beat Nigeria, South Africa to talented Vitesse midfielder". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  5. Qoshe, Yolulwe (18 April 2023). "EXCLUSIVE: Michael Dokunmu ' Why I chose South Africa over Nigeria'". thesouthafrican.com. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
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