Aribusitamunoipirim Emmanuel "Aribim" Pepple(born 25 December 2002) is a professionalfootballerwho plays as aforwardforNational LeaguesideSouthend Unitedon loan fromEFL ChampionshipclubLuton Town.

Aribim Pepple
Pepple in 2022
Personal information
Full name Aribusitamunoipirim Emmanuel Pepple[1]
Date of birth (2002-12-25)25 December 2002(age 22)[2]
Place of birth Kettering,England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Southend United
(on loan fromLuton Town)
Number 19
Youth career
Oadby Owls
Eastside Memorial FC
2018–2019 Calgary Foothills
2021 Getafe
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019 Calgary Foothills 11 (3)
2019–2020 Cavalry FC 13 (0)
2022 Cavalry FC 7 (6)
2022– Luton Town 0 (0)
2022–2023Grimsby Town(loan) 11 (0)
2023–2024Bromley(loan) 6 (0)
2024Inverness Caledonian Thistle(loan) 13 (1)
2024–Southend United(loan) 19 (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:02, 1 January 2025

He has previously played forCalgary Foothills,Cavalry FCand forLa LigasideGetafe.He made hisEFLdebut forGrimsby Townduring a loan spell in the 2022–23 season. Born in England, he has previously been called up to theNigeria U17andCanada U17teams but failed to earn a cap whilst part of both squads.

Early life

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Pepple's father was born inPort Harcourt,Nigeria while his mother was born inLondon,England.[3]He was born inKettering,Northamptonshirein 2002. There he played for youth club Oadby Owls at age five.[3]He moved toCalgary,Canadawith his family at the age of five.[4]In Canada, he played youth soccer with Eastside Memorial FC,[5]later joiningCalgary Foothills FC.

Club career

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Calgary Foothills

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In October 2018, Pepple participated in theCanadian Premier Leagueopen trials inCalgaryand was the youngest participant countrywide at 15, but nonetheless made the first cut after day one.[6][7]In 2019, he joined theCalgary Foothills FCsenior side in thePremier Development League,he made eleven league appearances for the Foothills, scoring three goals, and would score another goal in one playoff appearance.[8]

Cavalry FC

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On 9 August 2019, Pepple signed his first professional contract withCanadian Premier LeaguesideCavalry FCuntil the end of 2020.[4]On 10 August 2019, he made his debut as a substitute in a 0–0 draw againstHFX Wanderers.[9][10]Pepple would be described as "exactly what the Canadian Premier League is built for", and praised by coaching staff shortly after signing with the club for his physical and mental acuity.[11]In November 2019, Cavalry would confirm that Pepple would return for the2020 season.[12]

In October 2020 Cavalry announced Pepple would joinPremier LeagueclubSheffield Unitedon a two-week trial.[13]Shortly after the conclusion of his time at Sheffield, he was invited to another Premier League trial, this time withLeicester City.[14]In March 2021, Pepple would officially announce his departure from Cavalry via his Instagram, indicating that he had joined the youth side ofLa LigaclubGetafe.[15]

Getafe

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In March 2021, Pepple scored on his debut for Getafe's under-19 team.[16]

Second spell at Cavalry

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On 28 April 2022, Pepple returned to Cavalry FC for the2022 season.[17]In June and July he broke the Canadian Premier League record for longest goalscoring streak, with 6 goals in 5 matches.[18]On July 6, 2022 he was named the CPL's Player of the Month for June after becoming the first-ever player to score in five consecutive league matches. At the time he sat second in the league scoring race with six goals.[19]In July 2022 Cavalry confirmed that they had agreed to a transfer with an undisclosed club, rumoured to beLuton Town,indicating that he would leave the club during the transfer window.[20][21]

Luton Town

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On 2 August 2022, Pepple signed forEFL Championshipclub Luton Town for an undisclosed fee, returning to his country of birth.[22]

Loan to Grimsby Town

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Six days after joining Luton, he was loaned out toGrimsby Townfor the 2022–23 season.[23]The next day on 9 August Pepple made his debut for The Mariners, starting againstCrewe Alexandrain aEFL Cupmatch.[24]

Pepple's loan was terminated by Grimsby on 12 January 2023, with managerPaul Hurstsaying"Bim hasn't had quite as many chances as he would have wished but I'd like to thank him for his time and his efforts with us. You have to remember that it's a big move, coming over from Canada to Luton and then he very quickly joined us on loan. He's a young player that hopefully we've helped develop to a degree and there's still a lot more development to come for him".He had made 15 appearances in all competitions, failing to score a single goal.[25]

Return to Luton Town

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On 7 February 2023, Pepple was involved in Luton's first team for the first time as he was named as a substitute against former team Grimsby Town in a 3-0 defeat in anFA Cupfourth round replay.[26]

Loan to Bromley

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On 18 August 2023, Pepple joinedBromleyon loan for the 2023–24 season.[27]On 31 October, he scored a brace in a 4-2 victory overRedbridge FCin theLondon Senior Cup.[28]On 8 January 2024, he was recalled from his loan by Luton Town, following limited playing time.[29]

Loan to Inverness Caledonian Thistle

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On 1 February 2024, Pepple joinedScottish ChampionshipclubInvernesson loan until the end of the season.[30]

Loan to Southend

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On 30 August 2024, Pepple signed forNational LeagueteamSouthend Unitedon a season-long loan.[31]

International career

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Pepple is eligible to represent Nigeria, England, or Canada after moving to the latter at the age of 5. He was called up to by theNigeria national under-17 teamin preparation for the2019 FIFA U-17 World Cupbut ultimately decided to represent Canada.[32]In October 2019, Pepple was then called to theCanada national under-17 teamfor friendlies againstArgentinaandMexico.[33]

Career statistics

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As of December 7, 2024[34]
Club League Season League Playoffs Domestic Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Calgary Foothills USL League Two 2019[35] 11 3 1 1 12 4
Cavalry FC Canadian Premier League 2019 7 0 1 0 1 0 9 0
2020 6 0 6 0
2022 7 6 0 0 1 0 8 6
Total 20 6 1 0 2 0 0 0 23 6
Luton Town EFL Championship 2022–23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grimsby Town(loan) EFL League Two 2022–23 11 0 0 0 4 0 15 0
Bromley(loan) National League 2023–24 6 0 0 0 1 0 7 0
Inverness Caledonian Thistle(loan) Scottish Championship 2023–24 13 1 3 1 1 0 0 0 17 2
Southend United(loan) National League 2024–25 15 4 0 0 2 1 1 3 18 8
Career Total 76 14 5 2 5 1 5 3 90 20

Honours

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Cavalry

References

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  1. ^"2023/24 Premier League squad lists".Premier League. 13 September 2023.Retrieved15 September2023.
  2. ^ab"Aribim Pepple".Luton Town F.C.Retrieved28 May2023.
  3. ^abAribim Peppleat theCanadian Soccer Association
  4. ^ab"Cavalry FC Signs Young Canadian Aribim Pepple".Cavalry FC. 8 August 2019. Archived fromthe originalon 9 August 2019.Retrieved10 August2019.
  5. ^@AlbertaSoccer (18 August 2016)."U14B"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  6. ^"Five players to watch heading into Day 2 of the #GotGame Open Trials in Alberta".Canadian Premier League. 26 October 2018.Retrieved10 August2019.
  7. ^@CPLCavalry (26 October 2018)."Meet Aribim Pepple. Aribim is the youngest registered trialist in the whole country and he has advanced to the second day"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  8. ^"Aribim Pepple 2019 PDL Stats".USL League Two.Retrieved10 August2019.
  9. ^"A. Pepple".Soccerway.Retrieved10 August2019.
  10. ^"Travel-burdened Cavalry FC earns draw in Halifax".Travel Wire News. 10 August 2019.Retrieved4 January2020.
  11. ^Pamela Fieber (28 August 2019)."16-year-old enjoys 'much faster and more physical' level of play with Calgary's Cavalry FC".CBC.
  12. ^"A strong core confirmed for Cavalry FC in 2020".Cavalry FC.13 November 2019. Archived fromthe originalon 31 December 2019.Retrieved16 November2019.
  13. ^"Cavalry's Aribim Pepple goes on trial with Premier League's Sheffield United".5 October 2020.
  14. ^Molinaro, John (20 October 2020)."Cavalry FC's Aribim Pepple on trial with Premier League's Leicester City".Canadian Premier League.Retrieved22 October2020.
  15. ^@a.pepple (7 March 2021).""Happy to play and score in my first game with the team""– viaInstagram.
  16. ^John Jacques (8 March 2021)."Pepple Scores On Getafe U-19 Debut".Northern Tribune.Retrieved8 March2021.
  17. ^"Cavalry FC Welcomes Aribim Pepple (CAN) Back to the Roster".Cavalry FC.28 April 2022.Retrieved28 April2022.
  18. ^Jacques, John (1 July 2022)."Pepple Makes History With CPL Scoring Streak".Northern Tribune.Retrieved5 July2022.
  19. ^"Cavalry FC's Aribim Pepple named CPL Player of the Month for June".Canadian Premier League. 6 July 2022.Retrieved6 July2022.
  20. ^Todd Saelhof (26 July 2022)."Aribim Pepple leaving Cavalry at the transfer window".Calgary Sun.
  21. ^Wayne Veysey (16 July 2022)."Sources: Luton Town agree deal to sign Aribim Pepple after hijack".Football Insider.
  22. ^"Aribim Pepple signs for Luton Town!".lutontown.co.uk.2 August 2022.Retrieved2 August2022.
  23. ^"Pepple Signs on Season Long Loan - Grimsby Town Football Club".8 August 2022.
  24. ^"MATCH REPORT – GRIMSBY TOWN 4 – 0 CREWE ALEXANDRA".Grimsby Town.9 August 2022.
  25. ^"Pepple returns to Luton - Grimsby Town Football Club".12 January 2023.
  26. ^"Grimsby Town 3-0 Luton Town: League Two side shock Championship high-fliers in replay".BBC Sport.7 February 2023.
  27. ^"Aribim Pepple joins Bromley on loan".lutontown.co.uk.Luton Town.Retrieved21 August2023.
  28. ^"Ravens progress to second round of London Senior Cup".Bromley F.C.31 October 2023.
  29. ^Jacques, John (8 January 2023)."Luton Town Recalls Pepple From Loan".Northern Tribune.
  30. ^ICTFC MEDIA (1 February 2024)."Aribim Pepple Signs For ICTFC".ICTFC.Retrieved2 February2024.
  31. ^fc, southend united (30 August 2024)."Striker Pepple Signs!".southend united fc.Retrieved30 August2024.
  32. ^Roushandel, Massoud (12 March 2021)."18-year-old Dual National Aribim Pepple Signs with Agrinzonis Management Group".Agrinzonis Management Group.Retrieved6 July2022.
  33. ^"Canada's Men's U-17 squad enters final stage before FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019".Canada Soccer.Retrieved3 October2019.
  34. ^Aribim Peppleat Soccerway
  35. ^"Aribim Pepple 2019 USL2 Stats".USL League Two.Retrieved27 August2019.
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