Kevin Akpoguma

**Kevin John Ufuoma Akpoguma** (born 19 April 1995) is a professional footballer who primarily plays as a centre-back or left-back for the German Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim. Born in Germany, Akpoguma holds dual citizenship and represents the Nigeria national team at the international level, having previously played for Germany at various youth levels.Early Life and Education Kevin John Ufuoma Akpoguma was born in Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany, on April 19, 1995. He began his footballing journey at a young age, showcasing promise that led him into the youth systems of German clubs.Career Progression Akpoguma started his senior career with Karlsruher SC, making his professional debut in the 2012–2013 season. His performances earned him a transfer to TSG Hoffenheim, where he initially played for the club's reserve team, TSG Hoffenheim II, in the Regionalliga Südwest. Since joining Hoffenheim in 2013, he has gone on to become a fixture in the first-team squad. To gain further senior experience, Akpoguma was loaned out several times, including a successful spell at Fortuna Düsseldorf (2015–2017) and a brief period at Hannover 96 (2019). His consistent growth as a versatile defender led to him accumulating over 169 appearances for TSG Hoffenheim in various competitions as of the 2023–24 season.International Career Akpoguma's international career initially saw him represent Germany at nearly every youth level, from the U18 to the U21 teams. He was part of the German squad that won the 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. In 2020, Akpoguma made the decision to switch his allegiance to the Nigeria national team, qualifying through his Nigerian father. He received his first call-up to the Super Eagles later that year and has since made several appearances for Nigeria.Current Status As of the 2023–2024 season, Kevin Akpoguma remains a key defensive player for TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. He continues to actively represent the Nigeria national team.