Erving Botaka

Erving Dzho Botaka-Ioboma (Russian: Эрвинг Джо Ботака-Иобома; born 5 October 1998) is a Russian footballer who plays as a centre-back for Arsenal Tula.

Erving Botaka

Botaka with FC Ufa in 2021
Personal information
Full name	Erving Dzho Botaka-Ioboma
Date of birth	(1998-10-05) 5 October 1998 (age 27)
Place of birth	Pushkino, Russia
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Arsenal Tula
Number	3
Youth career
0000–2013	Lokomotiv Moscow
2013–2015	Torpedo Moscow
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2017	Solyaris Moscow	16	(0)
2017–2018	Kazanka Moscow	8	(0)
2018	Samgurali Tskaltubo	6	(0)
2019	Veles Moscow	6	(0)
2019	Luch Vladivostok	11	(0)
2020–2021	Veles Moscow	38	(3)
2021–2023	Ufa	48	(2)
2023–	Arsenal Tula	38	(1)
International career‡
2020	Russia U20	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 24 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 11 June 2021

Club career

He made his debut in the Russian Professional Football League for FC Solyaris Moscow on 20 July 2016 in a game against FSK Dolgoprudny.^[1]

In July 2018 his failed transfer back to Torpedo Moscow caused a stir when it was reported the club canceled his contract because the ultras refused to allow a black footballer to play for the club. Torpedo later denied this via an official statement but the Torpedo ultras were adamant with their own statement.^[2]

He made his Russian Football National League debut for Luch Vladivostok on 24 July 2019 in a game against FC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.

On 11 June 2021, he signed a long-term contract with Russian Premier League club Ufa, reuniting with his former Veles coach Aleksei Stukalov.^[3] He made his RPL debut for Ufa on 18 September 2021 in a game against FC Khimki.^[4]

Career statistics

As of 28 May 2022

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Solyaris Moscow	2016–17	PFL	16	0	0	0	–		–		16	0
Kazanka Moscow	2017–18		8	0	–		–		5[a]	0	13	0
Samgurali Tsqaltubo	2018	Erovnuli Liga 2	6	0	–		–		2[b]	0	8	0
Veles Moscow	2018–19	PFL	6	0	–		–		–		6	0
Luch Vladivostok	2019–20	FNL	11	0	3	0	–		–		14	0
Veles Moscow	2019–20	PFL	–		–		–		–		0	0
	2020–21	FNL	38	3	2	0	–		–		40	3
	Total		44	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	46	3
Ufa	2021–22	RPL	13	0	2	0	–		–		15	0
Career total			100	13	0	0	0	0	1	0	101	13

1. Appearances in the FNL Cup
2. Appearances in the relegation play-offs