Dapo Mebude

Dapo Mebude
Mebude with Scotland U19 in 2019
Personal information
Full name Adedapo Paul Oluwaseun Awokoya-Mebude[1]
Date of birth (2001-07-29) 29 July 2001[2]
Place of birth London, England
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[3]
Position(s)
Team information
Current team
 Arbroath
Youth career
2011–2019 Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Rangers 1 (0)
2021 → Queen of the South (loan) 11 (2)
2021–2022 Watford 0 (0)
2021–2022 → AFC Wimbledon (loan) 25 (2)
2022–2024 KV Oostende 7 (0)
2024–2025 Dunfermline Athletic 14 (0)
2025 → Septemvri Sofia (loan) 0 (0)
2025– Arbroath 0 (0)
International career
Scotland U16
2017–2018 Scotland U17 10 (2)
2018 Scotland U18 2 (0)
2018–2020 Scotland U19 13 (4)
2021–2022 Scotland U21 5 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:53, 26 February 2025 (UTC)

Adedapo Paul Oluwaseun Awokoya-Mebude (born 29 July 2001) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Arbroath.

Early life

Mebude was born in London,[4] growing up in Peckham,[5] and is of Nigerian descent.[6] His family moved to Scotland when he was 10 years old, living in Govan,[7] and he joined the Rangers youth system after attending an open Soccer Schools event organised by the club.[8][9] He was later a participant in the SFA's Performance School programme at Holyrood Secondary School,[10] and also attended Rangers' youth partnership school Boclair Academy.[11]

Club career

Mebude turned professional with Rangers in May 2017.[12] Mebude signed a new contract with the club in December 2018, keeping him at Ibrox until 2021.[11] In February 2019 he was recalled from international duty with the Scotland under-19s to join up with the Rangers first team, due to injury problems.[13] Mebude debuted for the first-team on 19 May 2019, in a 2–1 away defeat versus Kilmarnock in the league.[14]

On 21 January 2021, Mebude joined Scottish Championship club Queen of the South on loan until the end of the season.[15] He scored his first professional goal, in a 4–2 league win at Gayfield Park versus Arbroath on 6 March 2021.[16]

In June 2021, Mebude ran out his contract with Rangers to become a free agent.[17][9] A month later in July, he was signed by Watford on a two-year contract with the option of a further two-years.[18][19] He suffered a back injury at the end of July 2021, and was hospitalised.[20][21]

He moved on loan to AFC Wimbledon in August 2021.[22][5] He scored his first goal for Wimbledon in a 3–3 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 14 August 2021.[23]

In September 2022 he signed for Belgian club KV Oostende.[24]

Mebude trained with Livingston in July 2024.[25] In October 2024, he joined Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic on a one-year deal.[26] Mebude was loaned out to Bulgarian side PFC Septemvri Sofia from February 2025 until the end of the season,[27][28] and was released by Dunfermline at the end of his contract.[29]

In October 2025 he signed for Arbroath.[30]

International career

Mebude has represented Scotland at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 youth levels, and made his first under-21 appearance in October 2021 against Denmark.[2][12][11][13][31]

Style of play

In November 2018, he was described by the Daily Record as a "diminutive striker" who was "highly-rated within Ibrox" and that he was "known for his lightening [sic] quick pace as well as his obvious finishing ability and is a handful for defenders with his trickery".[4] In a September 2019 interview, Mebude stated "When I play as a winger I try and be direct and score goals like Raheem Sterling who is fast, direct and a similar build to me."[32]

Personal life

In February 2021 Mebude was one of five Rangers players fined by Scottish police "for attending an illegal gathering of ten people in a flat" in breach of lockdown rules during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[33]

Mebude was hospitalised in January 2024 following a car crash.[34] He was unconscious for 5 days.[7] He has a daughter.[7]

His younger brother Dire is also a footballer.[7][35]

Career statistics

As of match played 15 November 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rangers U20 2019–20[36] — — — 5[c] 2 5 2
Rangers 2020–21[37] Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Queen of the South (loan) 2020–21[37] Scottish Championship 11 2 1 0 — — 12 2
Watford 2021–22[38] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
AFC Wimbledon (loan) 2021–22[38] League One 25 2 2 0 3 0 2[d] 0 32 2
KV Oostende 2022–23[39] Belgian Pro League 5 0 1 0 — — 6 0
2023–24[39] Challenger Pro League 2 0 0 0 — — 2 0
Total 7 0 1 0 — — 8 0
Dunfermline Athletic 2024–25[40] Scottish Championship 14 0 2 1 0 0 2[c] 0 18 1
Septemvri Sofia (loan) 2024–25[39] Bulgarian First League 0 0 — — — 0 0
Arbroath 2025–26[41] Scottish Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Career total 57 4 6 1 3 0 9 2 75 7
  1. ^ Includes Scottish Cup, FA Cup and Bulgarian Cup
  2. ^ Includes Scottish League Cup and EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Scottish Challenge Cup
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ^ "2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b Dapo Mebude at the Scottish Football Association
  3. ^ Dapo Mebude at Soccerway. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b Mark McDougall (7 November 2018). "Who is Dapo Mebude? Rangers fans rave as teen hits treble for reserves". Daily Record. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  5. ^ a b Dapo: It was the 'perfect' option to sign for the Dons, AFC Wimbledon, 4 August 2021
  6. ^ "Nigerian Superkid Signs Professional Contract With Scottish Powerhouse Rangers". All Nigeria Soccer. 30 May 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d "Dunfermline's Dapo Mebude: From Rangers dream under Steven Gerrard to car crash scare in Belgium". BBC Sport. 27 December 2024.
  8. ^ Dapo Mebude determined to grab his Rangers chance with the help of striking rivals Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe, Evening Times, 17 September 2019
  9. ^ a b Dapo Mebude reveals the dangling Rangers carrot he turned down as Watford star talks up Ibrox exit call, Scott McDermott, 3 October 2021
  10. ^ Performance Schools Roll Of Honour, Scottish Football Association
  11. ^ a b c "Dapo Mebude Signs New Contract". Rangers F.C. 15 December 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Rangers starlets Serge Atakayi and Dapo Mebude profiled as academy prospects add to their growing reputation". Daily Record. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  13. ^ a b "Rangers facing striker shortage against St Johnstone, says Gerrard". BBC Sport. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  14. ^ "Kilmarnock 2–1 Rangers". BBC Sport. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Dapo Mebude". Queen of the South F.C. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  16. ^ "QoS : Report – Arbroath 6.3.21". www.qosfc.com. 6 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Pacy attacker looks set to leave Rangers for nothing this summer as contract runs down". Rangers News. 20 May 2021.
  18. ^ "Official: Mebude Signs For Golden Boys". www.watfordfc.com. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Watford sign Etebo, King and Mebude". BBC Sport. 9 July 2021.
  20. ^ "Injury Update: Dapo Mebude". www.watfordfc.com. 28 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Mebude out of hospital after back injury". Watford Observer. 28 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Wimbledon sign Watford's Mebude on loan". BBC Sport. 4 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Wimbledon 3–3 Bolton". BBC. 14 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  24. ^ "Official: Mebude Makes Belgium Move". www.watfordfc.com.
  25. ^ "Ex-Rangers starlet pictured training with Livingston". thenational.scot. 5 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Dapo Mebude signs for Dunfermline". dafc.co.uk. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  27. ^ "Dunfermline's Dapo Mebude joins Bulgaria's Septemvri Sofia on loan". Dunfermline Press. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  28. ^ "Dapo Mebude departs Dunfermline Athletic on loan as new owners' multi-club interests highlighted". 25 February 2025.
  29. ^ "Squad Update – Lewis McCann & Dapo Mebude". Dunfermline Press. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  30. ^ "13K views | Reel by Arbroath Football Club - Official" – via www.facebook.com.
  31. ^ Alasdair Mackenzie (27 March 2018). "Rangers youngster Dapo Mebude seals win for Scotland Under-17s against Germany". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  32. ^ Cusick, Aiden (10 September 2019). "Rangers winger Dapo Mebude likens himself to £49m Premier League star". HITC.
  33. ^ Lindsay, Matthew (20 February 2021). "Rangers midfielder Bongani Zungu set to depart Ibrox this summer following Covid-19 lockdown breach". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  34. ^ "Dapo Mebude: Scotland U21 player in hospital after car crash in Belgium". BBC Sport. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  35. ^ "Bristol City sign 'mystery attacker' with loan addition of ex-Manchester City and Rangers talent". BristolPost. 1 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Games played by Dapo Mebude in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  37. ^ a b "Games played by Dapo Mebude in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  38. ^ a b "Games played by Dapo Mebude in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  39. ^ a b c Dapo Mebude at Soccerway. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  40. ^ "Games played by Dapo Mebude in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  41. ^ "Games played by Dapo Mebude in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
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