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Karl Toko Ekambi

In this article, thesurnameisToko Ekambi,notEkambi.

Karl Louis Brillant Toko Ekambi(born 14 September 1992) is a professionalfootballerwho plays as aforwardforSaudi Pro LeagueclubAl-Ettifaq.

Karl Toko Ekambi
Toko Ekambi withCameroonat the2021 Africa Cup of Nations
Personal information
Full name Karl Louis Brillant Toko Ekambi[1]
Date of birth (1992-09-14)14 September 1992(age 32)
Place of birth Paris,France[2]
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Al-Ettifaq
Number 7
Youth career
–2010 Paris FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2014 Paris FC 67 (21)
2012–2013 Paris FC B 6 (1)
2014–2016 Sochaux 72 (25)
2016–2018 Angers 68 (24)
2018–2020 Villarreal 52 (16)
2020 →Lyon(loan) 8 (2)
2020–2023 Lyon 84 (30)
2023 →Rennes(loan) 17 (3)
2023–2024 Abha 14 (5)
2024– Al-Ettifaq 32 (7)
International career‡
2015–2024 Cameroon 61 (14)
Medal record
Men'sfootball
RepresentingCameroon
Africa Cup of Nations
Winner 2017
Third place 2021
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:03, 26 February 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:06, 27 January 2024 (UTC)

Toko Ekambi began his career withParis FCin theChampionnat NationalandSochauxinLigue 2before joiningAngersinLigue 1.After 18 months atVillarrealin Spain'sLa Liga,he returned to France's top flight withLyon.

Born and raised in France, Toko Ekambi represents Cameroon internationally. He made his international debut for Cameroon in 2015. He represented the nation at theAfrica Cup of Nationsin2017,2019,2021and2023,winning the 2017 tournament. He also played at the2022 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

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Sochaux

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Born inParis,Toko Ekambi began his career atParis FCin the third-tierChampionnat National.In June 2014, having been third-top scorer with 13 goals, he transferred toSochaux.[4]He made hisLigue 2debut on the opening day of the2014–15season againstOrléans,as a 57th-minute substitute forThomas Guerbertin a 1–0 home loss.[5]He ended his first season as joint-fourth top scorer with 14 goals.[6]

Angers

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In June 2016, Toko Ekambi joinedAngersfor €1 million, on a four-year deal.[7]He scored seven times in his firstLigue 1season, including two in a 3–0 home win overBastiaon 26 February.[8]

In August 2017,Brighton & Hove Albion,newly promoted to thePremier League,reportedly made a bid for him, offering €8 million plus €1 million in possible bonuses to Angers.[9]He began that season in good form, scoring nine goals in 18 Ligue 1 appearances in the first half of the season, attracting interest from England for his services in the January transfer window.[10]

In January 2018 Brighton were again reported to have made a bid for him, which was rejected by Angers.[11][12]On 24 February, Toko Ekambi scored two-second-half goals, including the winner in the 89th minute, to help Angers move out of the relegation zone in a 2–1 away win over fellow strugglersLille.[13]He finished the2017–18 Ligue 1season with 17 goals, ninth in the league's top scorers.[14]He won thePrix Marc-Vivien Foéfor best African in the league. He was the first Cameroonian to win the award named afterMarc-Vivien Foé,who died playing for the country in 2003.[15]

On 25 April 2017, late substitute Toko Ekambi scored in a 2–0 home win overGuingampin theCoupe de Francesemi-final.[16]In Angers' first final since 1957 on 27 May, he played the entirety of a 1–0 loss toParis Saint-Germain(PSG).[17]

Villarreal

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Toko Ekambi playing forVillarrealin 2018

In June 2018, Toko Ekambi signed withVillarrealin Spain'sLa Liga,for an estimated €20 million. He was signed to replaceCédric Bakambu,who had left for theChinese Super Leaguein January.[18]He scored ten goals in his first league season, including two in a 3–1 home win overRayo Vallecanoon 17 March.[19]

With five goals each, Toko Ekambi andGetafe'sÁngelwere top scorers of the2018–19 Copa del Rey.[20]This included four in an 8–0 (11–3 aggregate) home win overAlmeríain the last 32 second leg,[21]followed by a goal in the next stage againstEspanyol,who eliminated his team.[22]

Toko Ekambi was theLa Liga Player of the Monthfor October 2019, with three goals including two in a 4–1 win overAlavéson 25 October.[23]

Lyon

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On 20 January 2020, Toko Ekambi went back to Ligue 1, on loan toLyonfor the remainder of the season.[24]On 2 June, he moved on a permanenttransferwith a four-year contract, for a fee of €11.5 million.[25]He played in the2020 Coupe de la Ligue Finalon 31 July, the last game in the competition's history. On as an 80th-minute substitute forMemphis Depay,he scored in the penalty shootout after a goalless draw, but his team lost to PSG.[26]

With 14 goals in 2020–21, Toko Ekambi was once again joint ninth top scorer in Ligue 1.[27]The following season, he finished joint tenth with 12 goals.[28]

Loan to Rennes

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On 26 January 2023, fellow Ligue 1 clubRennesannounced the signing of Toko Ekambi on loan from Lyon for the remainder of the season. The fee was €1.5 million, with a further €1 million depending on performances.[29]He scored his first goal for the club on 19 March to open a 2–0 win at PSG, ending a 35-game unbeaten home run for the hosts dating back nearly two years.[30]

Abha

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On 24 August 2023, Toko Ekambi joinedSaudi Pro LeagueclubAbhaon a two-year deal.[31]

Al-Ettifaq

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On 30 January 2024, Toko Ekambi joined fellowSaudi Pro LeagueclubAl-Ettifaqon a one-and-a-half-year contract.[32]

International career

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Toko Ekambi playing againstComorosin the2021 Africa Cup of Nations

Toko Ekambi made his debut forCameroonon 6 June 2015 in a 3–2 friendly win overBurkina FasoinColombes,France, as a 66th-minute substitute forJustin Mengolo.[33]He scored his first goal on 3 September the following year in a 2–0 home win over theGambiain2017 Africa Cup of Nationsqualification.[34]ManagerHugo Brooscalled him up for the final tournament in Gabon, which the team won.[35]

On 28 March 2017, Toko Ekambi scored and was sent off in a 2–1 friendly loss toGuineainBrussels.[36]In June, Broos selected him for the2017 Confederations Cupin Russia.[37]He also went to the2019 Africa Cup of Nationsin Egypt.[38]

At the2021 Africa Cup of Nationson home soil at the start of the following year, Toko Ekambi scored twice in a 4–1 group win overEthiopia,[39]and the opening goal of a 2–1 win againstComorosin the last 16.[40]On 29 January, he scored both goals against the Gambia in the quarter-finals.[41]

On 29 March 2022, Toko Ekambi scored a goal in the fourth minute of time added on at the end of extra time againstAlgeriato send Cameroon to the2022 FIFA World Cup.[42]At the finals in Qatar, he started the first two games and was a substitute in the 1–0 win overBrazil,as the team exited in the group stage.[43][44][45]

At the2023 Africa Cup of Nationsin the Ivory Coast, Toko Ekambi was dropped by managerRigobert Songin the second group game againstSenegal;fellow strikerVincent Aboubakarwas injured and the team lost 3–1.[46]He returned and scored the opening goal of a 3–2 win against the Gambia that put Cameroon into the last 16 at their opponents' expense.[47]On February 2, 2024, he announced his retirement from international duty after the tournament.[48][49]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 26 February 2025[2][50]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Paris FC 2010–11 Championnat National 2 0 0 0 0 0 — — 2 0
2011–12 25 3 1 0 0 0 — — 26 3
2012–13 14 4 0 0 0 0 — — 14 4
2013–14 26 14 0 0 0 0 — — 26 14
Total 67 21 1 0 0 0 — — 68 21
Sochaux 2014–15 Ligue 2 38 14 1 0 1 0 — — 40 14
2015–16 34 11 6 1 2 0 — — 41 12
Total 72 25 7 1 3 0 — — 82 26
Angers 2016–17 Ligue 1 31 7 2 1 0 0 — — 33 8
2017–18 37 17 1 0 1 0 — — 39 17
Total 68 24 3 1 1 0 — — 72 25
Villarreal 2018–19 La Liga 34 10 2 5 — 7[c] 3 — 43 18
2019–20 18 6 1 0 — — — 19 6
Total 52 16 3 5 — 7 3 — 62 24
Lyon(loan) 2019–20 Ligue 1 8 2 3 0 1 0 4[d] 0 — 16 2
Lyon 2020–21 35 14 4 0 — — — 39 14
2021–22 30 12 0 0 — 10[c] 6 — 40 18
2022–23 19 4 0 0 — — — 19 4
Total 92 32 7 0 1 0 14 6 — 114 38
Rennes(loan) 2022–23 Ligue 1 17 3 — — 2[c] 2 — 19 5
Abha 2023–24 Saudi Pro League 14 5 3 2 — — — 17 7
Al-Ettifaq 2023–24 Saudi Pro League 15 6 — — — — 15 6
2024–25 17 1 2 2 — — 5[e] 4 24 7
Total 32 7 2 2 — — 5 4 39 13
Career total 415 133 26 11 5 0 23 11 5 4 474 159
  1. ^IncludesCoupe de France,Copa del Rey,King Cup
  2. ^IncludesCoupe de la Ligue
  3. ^abcAppearances inUEFA Europa League
  4. ^Appearances inUEFA Champions League
  5. ^Appearances inAGCFF Gulf Club Champions League

International

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Toko Ekambi at the2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
As of match played 27 January 2024[51]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Cameroon 2015 3 0
2016 4 1
2017 10 1
2018 5 0
2019 8 1
2020 3 0
2021 7 2
2022 14 7
2023 4 1
2024 3 1
Total 61 14
As of match played 23 January 2024
Scores and results list Cameroon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Toko Ekambi goal.[51]
List of international goals scored by Karl Toko Ekambi
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 3 September 2016 Limbe Stadium,Limbe,Cameroon Gambia 2–0 2–0 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2 28 March 2017 Edmond Machtens Stadium,Brussels,Belgium Guinea 1–1 1–2 Friendly
3 14 June 2019 Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium,Al Wakrah,Qatar Mali 1–1 1–1
4 8 October 2021 Japoma Stadium,Douala,Cameroon Mozambique 3–0 3–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 16 November 2021 Ivory Coast 1–0 1–0
6 13 January 2022 Olembe Stadium,Yaoundé,Cameroon Ethiopia 1–1 4–1 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
7 4–1
8 24 January 2022 Comoros 1–0 2–1 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
9 29 January 2022 Japoma Stadium, Douala, Cameroon Gambia 1–0 2–0
10 2–0
11 29 March 2022 Mustapha Tchaker Stadium,Blida,Algeria Algeria 2–1 2–1 (a.e.t.) 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
12 9 June 2022 National Stadium,Dar es Salaam,Tanzania Burundi 1–0 1–0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
13 10 June 2023 Snapdragon Stadium,San Diego,United States Mexico 2–1 2–2 Friendly
14 23 January 2024 Stade de la Paix,Bouaké,Ivory Coast Gambia 1–0 3–2 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Honours

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Lyon

Cameroon

Individual

References

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  1. ^"KTE".Verif(in French).Retrieved24 July2022.
    "Karl Toko Ekambi".Verif(in French).Retrieved24 July2022.
  2. ^ab"Karl Toko Ekambi".L'Équipe(in French). Paris.Retrieved24 July2022.
  3. ^"Karl Toko Ekambi".Saudi Pro League.Retrieved12 February2024.
  4. ^"Karl Toko Ekambi agrees personal terms with Sochaux".Get Football News France. 1 June 2014.Retrieved5 November2021.
  5. ^"FC Sochaux vs. Orléans – 2 August 2014 – Soccerway".soccerway.Retrieved2 August2014.
  6. ^"Sans doute la fin d'un cycle"[Without doubt the end of an era].Paris Normandie(in French). 21 May 2015.Retrieved5 November2021.
  7. ^"Karl Toko-Ekambi to Angers".Get French Football News. 20 June 2016.Retrieved5 November2021.
  8. ^Mazibuko, Sandile (26 February 2017)."Toko Ekambi bags brace in Angers win".Goal.Retrieved5 November2021.
  9. ^"Offre de Brighton pour Toko Ekambi (Angers)"[Offer from Brighton for Toko Ekambi (Angers)].France Football(in French). 31 August 2007.Retrieved23 September2020.
  10. ^Andy Naylor (5 January 2018)."Brighton and Hove Albion interested in Cameroon marksman Ekambi".The Argus.
  11. ^"Mercato: Angers dit non à Brighton pour Toko Ekambi"[Transfer market: Angers say no to Brighton for Toko Ekambi].France Football(in French). 5 January 2018.Retrieved23 September2020.
  12. ^Andy Naylor (7 January 2018)."Albion expected to up interest in striker Ekambi".The Argus.
  13. ^"Angers and Toko-Ekambi leave Lille in trouble".ligue1. 24 February 2018.
  14. ^"Season Review: Not Only Neymar! The Unsung Heroes..."ligue1.Ligue de Football Professionnel. 20 May 2018. Archived fromthe originalon 24 June 2018.Retrieved2 April2020.
  15. ^abc"Cameroon's Toko Ekambi wins Foe prize".BBC. 14 May 2018.Retrieved9 July2019.
  16. ^"Angers beat Guingamp to reach French Cup final".Reuters. 25 April 2017.Retrieved5 November2021.
  17. ^Whalley, Mike (27 May 2017)."Angers 0–1 Paris Saint Germain".BBC Sport.Retrieved5 November2021.
  18. ^Jariego, Adrià (7 June 2018)."Oficial: el Villarreal ficha al delantero franco- camerunés Toko Ekambi"[Official: Villarreal sign the Franco-Cameroonian striker Toko Ekambi].Sport(in Spanish).Retrieved5 November2021.
  19. ^Adewoye, Gbenga (17 March 2019)."Karl Toko Ekambi nets brace as Villarreal ease past Rayo Vallecano".Goal.Retrieved5 November2021.
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  21. ^"Ekambi gets four of Villarreal's eight against Almeria".5 December 2018.Retrieved5 November2021.
  22. ^McTear, Euan (9 January 2019)."Villarreal keep the tie alive with two late goals".Marca.Retrieved5 November2021.
  23. ^ab"Toko Ekambi named LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for October".La Liga.Retrieved2 June2020.
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  26. ^Clancy, Conor (1 August 2020)."Paris Saint-Germain take last ever Coupe de la Ligue title on penalties".Marca.Retrieved5 November2021.
  27. ^"Ligue 1 Top Scorers".Reuters. 23 May 2021.Retrieved5 November2021.
  28. ^Cox, Gareth (25 May 2022)."Mbappe, Payet, Messi: Ligue 1 top scorers and most assists 2021/22 - in pictures".The National.Retrieved22 September2022.
  29. ^"Mercato: les chiffres officiels du prêt payant de Toko Ekambi à Rennes"[Transfer market: the official figures of the paid loan of Toko Ekambi to Rennes] (in French). BFM TV. 26 January 2023.Retrieved31 March2023.
  30. ^"Paris Saint Germain 0–2 Rennes".BBC Sport. 19 March 2023.Retrieved31 March2023.
  31. ^"OFFICIAL: Saudi club Abha sign Lyon forward Karl Toko Ekambi".KingFut. 25 August 2023.
  32. ^"الكاميروني توكو إيكامبي يدعم هجوم الاتفاق".
  33. ^"Première sélection internationale pour le Sochalien Toko Ekambi"[First international cap for Sochaux's Toko Ekambi].L'Est Républicain(in French). 7 June 2015.Retrieved5 November2021.
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  48. ^Mtuta, Lukhanyo (2 February 2024)."OFFICIAL: AFCON star announces his retirement".KickOff.Retrieved11 March2024.
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  51. ^abKarl Toko Ekambiat National-Football-Teams
  52. ^"Paris St-Germain beat Lyon in French League Cup final for another treble".BBC Sport.31 July 2020.Retrieved16 June2022.
  53. ^AfricaNews (6 February 2022)."Cameroon beats Burkina Faso to end AFCON 2021 in third place".Africanews.Retrieved6 February2022.
  54. ^"Palmarès".Trophées UNFP du Football(in French).Retrieved6 August2019.
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