Promise David

Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu (born 3 July 2001), known as Promise David, is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Belgian Pro League club Union SG. Born in Canada, he was a youth international for Nigeria before committing to play for Canada on February 21, 2025.^[2]

Promise David

David in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Promise Oluwatobi Emmanuel David Akinpelu[1]
Date of birth	(2001-07-03) 3 July 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth	Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Height	1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Union SG
Number	12
Youth career
2012–2016	Toronto FC
2016–2019	Vaughan Azzurri
2019–2021	Trnje
2021–2022	FC Tulsa
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022	Valletta	9	(2)
2022–2023	Sirens	7	(0)
2023–2024	Nõmme Kalju	39	(21)
2024–	Union SG	31	(16)
International career‡
2022	Nigeria U23	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 3, 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 04:32, 30 July 2024 (UTC)

Club career

David began playing football with the youth academy of Toronto FC Academy, before moving to his local club Vaughan Azzurri in 2016.^[3] In 2019, he was scouted by the Croatian club Trnje and joined their youth academy. On 18 September 2021, he signed an academy contract with the American club Tulsa.^[4]

In January 2022, David joined the Maltese club Valletta on a short-term contract.^[5] He scored the goal that got Valletta to the 2021–22 Maltese FA Trophy final, where they finished runners-up.^[1] On 20 June 2022, he transferred to Sirens, also in Malta.^[6] On 13 February 2023, he moved to Estonia with Nõmme Kalju.^[7] In his last season in the Meistriliiga with Kalju he scored 14 goals and provided three assists in 16 matches.^[8]

In July 2024, David signed with Union SG of the Belgian First Division A, on a three-year contract with an option of a further year.^[9] He debuted with them as a substitute during the 2024 Belgian Super Cup on 20 July, where the club would be eventual 2–1 victors over Club Brugge.^[10] David scored his first goal for his new club on 10 August against Westerlo.^[11]

International career

David was born in Canada to Nigerian parents.^[12] In October 2022, he was called up to the Nigeria U23s for a set of 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against the Tanzania U23s.^[13] He debuted with the Nigeria U23s, a 1–1 tie in the first leg with Tanzania U23 on October 22, 2022.^[14] In January 2025, after inquiries from the Nigerian Football Federation, David stated that he was focused on playing for his country of birth, Canada.^[15]

On February 21, 2025, David's request to switch allegiance to Canada was approved by FIFA.^[16]

Career statistics

As of match played May 3, 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup[a]		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Valletta	2021–22	Maltese Premier League	9	2	5	2	—		—		14	4
Sirens	2022–23	Maltese Premier League	7	0	—		—		—		7	0
Nõmme Kalju II	2023	Esiliiga B	19	22	—		—		—		19	22
Nõmme Kalju	2023	Meistriliiga	23	7	3	6	—		—		26	13
	2024	Meistriliiga	16	14	2	3	—		—		18	17
	Total		39	21	5	9	—		—		44	30
Union SG	2024–25	Belgian Pro League	31	16	3	4	3[b]	1	1[c]	0	38	21
Career total			105	61	13	15	3	1	1	0	122	77

1. Includes Maltese FA Trophy, Estonian Cup, Belgian Cup
2. One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
3. Appearance in Belgian Super Cup

Honours

Union Saint-Gilloise

• Belgian Super Cup: 2024