Akor Adams, a 23-year-old Nigerian striker, has been making waves in the French Ligue 1 with his prolific scoring for Montpellier. The former Lillestrom player has netted seven goals in 10 league games, placing him second behind Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe in the top scorers’ chart.
Adams joined Montpellier in August 2023 for a fee of 4.5 million euros after scoring 17 goals in 18 games for Lillestrom in the Norwegian Eliteserien. He quickly adapted to his new surroundings and was impressed with his pace, power, and finishing ability.
He scored twice on his debut in a 2-2 draw with Le Havre and added another brace in a 3-0 win over Toulouse in October. He also scored against Lens, Nice, and Marseille, earning him the Montpellier Player of the Month award for October.
Adams said he was inspired by the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha, John Utaka, and Victor Osimhen, who all shone in the French top flight in the past. He also wanted to play for the Nigerian national team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
“I have of course, followed Ligue 1 because a lot of Nigerian players have shone here in the past, such as Jay-Jay Okocha, John Utaka, and Osimhen, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to play here,” he said after signing for Montpellier.
“He’s a worker who has the mentality of a worker. He works in the gym, on the pitch…He’s a hungry guy,” Montpellier coach Michel der Zakarian praised his new signing.
Adams is not the only Nigerian player impacting Ligue 1 this season. Moses Simon of Nantes has scored five goals and provided four assists, while Josh Maja and Samuel Kalu of Bordeaux have also contributed to their team’s attack.
Nigeria has a rich history of producing talented footballers who have excelled in Europe, especially France. According to the website BDFutbol, 45 Nigerian players have played in Ligue 1 since 1928, with Victor Ikpeba being the most prolific, with 55 goals for Monaco between 1993 and 1999.
Adams is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his compatriots and become a star in France and beyond. With his impressive form and potential, he could be the next big thing in Nigerian football.
Source: Business Day
