Kevin John Ufuoma Akpoguma is a German footballer who plays as a centre back for 1899 Hoffenheim. Internationally, he has represented Germany at various youth levels. Akpoguma spent the 2016–17 season on loan at 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf. On 21 April 2017, towards the end of the season, he collided with FC St. Pauli's Bernd Nehrig in a league match. Both players were hospitalised with Akpoguma suffering a broken neck. Akpoguma made his first appearance in the Bundesliga the following season on 22 October 2017, replacing Stefan Posch at half-time in 1899 Hoffenheim's 1–1 draw with VfL Wolfsburg. Four days later, he made his first start for the club, in a 1–0 away to Werder bremen in the second round of the DFB-Pokal. Born to a German mother and a Nigerian father, Kevin Akpoguma is eligible to play for Germany and Nigeria. He has represented Germany at youth level, playing for the U16, U17, U18, U19, U20, and U21 teams. He was the captain of the German U-20 National, helping the team reach the quarterfinals of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. In October 2018 he stated that he was open to playing to Nigeria. |
