Eddie Nketiah is an English professional footballer. He is famous for his position as a striker and he is best known for playing with the Premier League club Arsenal, where he dons the #14 shirt. His football journey began when he was scouted at the age of nine while playing for the southeast London Sunday team, Hillyfielders. After starting his career with Chelsea, he made his debut in 2017 but was subsequently released by the club in 2015. Nketiah's career reached new heights when he played on loan at Leeds United, contributing significantly to their Championship title-winning season in 2019-20. His exceptional talent earned him recognition as England U21s' record goal scorer, and on 13 January 2023, he was honored with a commemorative golden boot presented by his former coach and The FA representative, Michael Johnson.
Eddie Nketiah, a renowned professional striker, is best known for playing at Arsenal. He began his football journey at a young age with the south-east London team, Hillyfielders, and after a stint with Chelsea, he made his debut in 2017. Loaned to Leeds United, he played a pivotal role in their Championship title win in 2019-20, earning recognition as England U21s' all-time top scorer.
Eddie Nketiah, whose full name is Edward Keddar Nketiah, was born on 30 May 1999 in Lewisham, London, England, to Ghanaian parents, giving him British-Ghanaian ethnicity. He holds English nationality and is the youngest of three children, with two older sisters. His upbringing was in southeast London, which is also home to notable footballers like Ruben Loftus-Cheek and the Wright family, including Ian and Shaun Wright-Phillips, known for their speed and football prowess.
Eddie Nketiah's journey from the Arsenal Academy to the first team has been marked by remarkable moments. After leaving Chelsea, he quickly made an impact, scoring prolifically for the under-18 and under-23 teams during the 2016–17 season. His impressive performances earned him a call-up to Arsène Wenger's first team during the pre-season. Nketiah's debut for the senior squad came in the UEFA Europa League, where he made a memorable impact by scoring against BATE Borisov. A loan move to Leeds United in the 2019–20 season showcased his talent further, and he returned to Arsenal in January 2020.
He continued to make significant contributions, including scoring crucial goals in the FA Cup and the Premier League. In the 2021–22 season, he became a regular starter, delivering crucial goals and securing a contract extension. On 18 June 2022, he signed a new contract with Arsenal until June 2027. His 2022–23 season saw him reach his 100th appearance for Arsenal and continue to make significant contributions, including a memorable last-minute winner against Manchester United.
In the 2023–24 season, Eddie made a strong comeback from a six-week ankle injury, returning to the first-team lineup as an 89th-minute substitute for Martin Ødegaard in Arsenal's 2–2 draw against West Ham on April 16. He continued to make a significant impact in the opening weekend of the Premier League season, starting and scoring the opener in Arsenal's 2–1 victory over Nottingham Forest. Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, commended Nketiah's exemplary attitude in training, hailing him as a "role model" for his team.
Eddie has been a standout performer on the international stage, eligible for both England and Ghana. He initially made his mark with England's under-19 team, scoring goals in various matches, including an impressive four-goal haul against the Faroe Islands in a UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifier. His talent saw him progress to the under-21 squad, where he became a prolific scorer, equalling Alan Shearer's goalscoring record and eventually breaking it during a crucial victory over Turkey that secured England's place at the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where he was named captain. In recognition of this achievement, he was presented with a commemorative golden boot in January 2023 by former coach and FA representative Michael Johnson. He had earlier turned down a call-up from the Ghana national team in favor of representing England.
Arsenal
Leeds United
England U21
Eddie Nketiah, the accomplished footballer, boasts an estimated net worth of $5 million in 2023, primarily stemming from his lucrative football career. His financial success is underscored by a substantial five-year contract worth £26,000,000 with Arsenal F.C., entailing an impressive annual average salary of £5,200,000. Throughout 2023, Nketiah is set to earn a base salary matching this figure, carrying a corresponding cap hit of £5,200,000.
Further enhancing his financial profile, Nketiah has aligned himself with Under Armour, donning their Shadow Pro boots on the field and endorsing their performance and sport-style products off it. While displaying his football prowess, he exclusively wears Nike cleats for all his matches, thereby enjoying the benefits of a comfortable and stylish lifestyle, all while being content with his earnings.
Eddie Nketiah is a dashing footballer known for his impressive physical attributes. Standing at a height of 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches) and weighing 72 kilograms, he possesses an athletic body build. With dark brown eyes and black hair, he carries a striking appearance on the field. His dedication to maintaining his physique is evident, contributing to his overall performance as a professional footballer.
Eddie Nketiah, born on May 30, 1999, in the London Borough of Lewisham, United Kingdom, hails from a Ghanaian and West African background as both of his parents are Ghanaians. He spent his formative years in southeast London and is the youngest in his family, with two older sisters. While he hasn't publicly disclosed their names, Nketiah's parents, particularly his father, supported his passion for soccer, granting him permission to play with friends in the football-rich South-east of London, where he developed his skills.
Eddie Nketiah's playing style has drawn comparisons to two distinguished footballers: Jermain Defoe and Sadio Mane. Much like Defoe, he exhibits a clinical finishing ability in front of goal, often displaying sharp instincts and a knack for scoring. Additionally, akin to Sadio Mane, Nketiah possesses exceptional speed and agility, making him a potent threat on the attack. These comparisons highlight his versatility as a striker, combining the lethal goal-scoring instincts of Defoe with the dynamic, fast-paced attributes seen in Mane, making him an exciting prospect in the world of football.
Eddie Nketiah has a distinctive goal celebration known as 'calling,' where he pretends to make a phone call after scoring. This unique celebration originated during a pre-season match with Arsenal, where he came on late and scored almost instantly, without even touching the ball, to secure a draw against Bayern Munich. After the game, Arsenal's media humorously tweeted, 'IF YOU NEED A GOAL? 'You should call Eddie!' This playful reference stuck, and the 'calling' celebration became his signature, adding a touch of humor and individuality to his goal-scoring moments.
Eddie Nketiah's middle name, "Kedar," carries Arabic origins and translates to "Powerful." This meaningful name aligns well with his reputation for possessing both strength and agility, highlighting the attributes that make him a formidable force on the soccer field.