Left-footed midfielder eyeing Flying Eagles call-up wins West Ham's Goal of the Month award

Left-footed Nigerian midfielder Tyron Akpata has won West Ham United's Goal of the Month award for February 2025, the Hammers informed through their official channels.

Born in England, the Dagenham native has committed his international future to Nigeria over his country of birth and is eyeing a call-up to the Flying Eagles ahead of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Akpata won the Goal of the Month accolade for his brilliant strike against Derby County in the Premier League 2 on February 28.

Four minutes before halftime, the Flying Eagles hopeful struck a sensational first-time effort, curling it into the top corner to give West Ham the lead, after he was teed up by Sean Moore on the edge of the area. 

On the club's official website, Akpata received 53 percent of the vote to claim the Goal of the Month prize, pushing first team star Jarrod Bowen to second position who collected 35 percent for his strike against Arsenal.

Rounding off the top three is Bowen's goal against Chelsea, while Chinaza Nwosu's goal versus Manchester United U18s ranks sixth.

Akpata told West Ham's official website after his winner against the Rams that it was the best goal that he has scored in his whole life.

"We’ve been practicing in training clipping it to the back stick so I knew there was always a possibility of the ball coming to me. 

"And then Sean Moore laid it off and I just wellied it top corner. It was such a top feeling. I think that's the best goal in my whole life. I’ll definitely be watching it back!”

Although central midfield is Akpata's preferred position, he offers versatility, being able to play as an attacking midfielder, second striker, left winger or left-back.

He has cited Nigeria international midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi as his role models.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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