What's happened to Chuba Akpom after he left Middlesbrough | OneFootball

Chuba Akpom’s 28-goal Boro season sparked a move to Ajax. But after a tough loan at Lille, his future is once again up in the air.

After firing Middlesbrough to the play-offs with a remarkable 28 goals in the 2022/23 campaign, Chuba Akpom’s career has taken a complex turn.

The former Arsenal academy graduate earned the Championship Golden Boot and reignited his career on Teesside, but his move to Ajax in the summer of 2023 has been anything but straightforward.

Akpom's career-defining season at Middlesbrough

Akpom's 28-goal haul in 2022/23 was the highest by any Boro player since the days of Britt Assombalonga. His form was central to Michael Carrick's exciting side, reaching the play-offs for the first time since 2018.

Middlesbrough top scorers since 2017 (Transfermarkt)

Akpom's career revival on Teeside in the 2022/23 campaign marked a significant turnaround for a player who had struggled to find consistency across stints in England, Belgium and Greece.

His 28-goal haul earned him the Championship Golden Boot and played a huge part in firing Michael Carrick's impressive Boro side of that year into the play-offs.

However, following their semi-final loss against Coventry, Akpom departed the club over the summer, joining Dutch giants Ajax.

Chuba Akpom's in-and-out period in Amsterdam

In a fashion almost synonymous with his career for the explosion with Middlesbrough, Akpom's time with Ajax has been filled with uncertainties. However, not all of this is down to Akpom himself.

Despite being unable to nail down a guaranteed starting spot, Akpom netted 15 goals for the club after making just 11 starts last campaign, and decided to stay with the club despite talks linking the forward with a move away in the summer of 2024.

However, after managing eight goals in the first half of this term for the Amsterdammers, Akpom was sent to join French side Lille on loan, with the Mastiffs looking to add more firepower as they chased a Champions League place.

The move has not gone to plan for either party, though, with Akpom netting just three goals across 14 appearances in Ligue 1. The 29-year-old is now set to head back to his parent club Ajax over the summer, where the future for both himself and the club remains uncertain.

Chuba Akpom faces further uncertainty in Amsterdam

Dramatically losing the Eredivisie title, Ajax imploded in the closing stages of the 2024/25 campaign, while PSV pulled off a sensational heist to rip the title from their rivals' grasp on the final day despite being nine points behind with seven matches remaining.

As a result, head coach Francesco Farioli's departure was soon announced by the club, meaning that the club are set for another potential summer of change as they chase the league title that hasn't been seen at the Johan Cruijff Arena since 2022.

With a pending managerial appointment, this summer will be crucial for Akpom regarding his chances of nailing down the guaranteed starting spot he craves.

Akpom's career: A career defined by peaks and pivots

Akpom now stands at a familiar crossroads in his career. At 29, he's experienced the highs of a golden boot season and the frustrations of limited opportunities abroad. His next move could define the trajectory of his 30s.

If Ajax opt for a new attacking philosophy under their incoming manager, Akpom may find himself either fully back in the fold or surplus to requirements.

A return to English football could be a potential option on the cards, particularly with Championship clubs likely to take an interest given his proven pedigree at that level.