Published on July 22, 2025 | Last Updated on 4 weeks
“I’m a scorer, but I think I’m complete. I can play in all positions up front. I hope to put on a show in front of the supporters.”
— Hugo Ekitiké, speaking shortly after joining Eintracht Frankfurt in February 2024
Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hugo Ekitike |
| Nickname(s) | The Iron Rod |
| Profession | Footballer |
Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight (approx.) | 78 kg (172 lbs) |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
Football | |
| Professional Debut | October 17, 2020 for Stade de Reims against FC Lorient (age 18 years, 3 months, and ~ 27 days) |
| International Debut | March 25, 2022 for France U20 against Tunisia (age 19 years, 8 months, and ~5 days) |
| International Career | ➤ France U21: 2024-2025 (5 caps, 5 goals) ➤ France U20: 2021-2022 (6 caps, 0 goal) |
| Clubs | • Eintracht Frankfurt (2024 – Present) • Paris Saint-Germain (2023 – 2024) • Stade de Reims (2020 – 2023) |
| Position | Striker |
| Jersey Number | — #11 (for the Bundesliga club Frankfurt) — #44 (for PSG during the 2023-24 seasons)  |
| Current Team | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| Transfers and Loans | — July 2020: Reims B to Stade de Reims (promotion to senior team) — January 2021: Stade de Reims to Vejle BK – Loan — July 2022: Stade de Reims to Paris Saint-Germain – Loan with obligation to buy (€35m including add-ons) — July 2023: Permanent move confirmed to Paris Saint-Germain — February 2024: Paris Saint-Germain to Eintracht Frankfurt – Loan with option to buy (€20m) — July 2024: Eintracht Frankfurt exercised the buy option, signing Hugo Ekitike permanently from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee close to €20 million (as part of the Kolo Muani deal arrangement) |
| Coach/Mentor | Didier Santini, Óscar García, Christophe Galtier, Dino Toppmöller |
| Notable Records | ➤ Hugo Ekitike became the youngest player in Stade de Reims history to score 10 or more goals in a single Ligue 1 season, achieving the feat during the 2021–22 campaign at just 19 years old. ➤ Fastest goal scored by a Reims player in Ligue 1 (2021) ➤ First French teenager to score in 3 consecutive Ligue 1 games since Kylian Mbappé (2021) ➤ During his breakout season at Reims, he recorded the most goal contributions by a teenager in Ligue 1, with a combined 14 (10 goals and 4 assists), a rare accomplishment for someone his age at the time. ➤ First French striker under 20 to score a Champions League goal for PSG |
| Awards, Honours, Achievements | • Ligue 1 Champion – 2022–23 season (with Paris Saint-Germain) • Trophée des Champions Winner – 2023 (with Paris Saint-Germain) • Ligue 1 Young Player of the Month – October 2021 (with Stade de Reims) • Bundesliga Team of the Season – 2024–25 |
Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 20 June 2002 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 23 years |
| Zodiac sign | Gemini |
| Nationality | French (eligible for Cameroon through father) |
| Place of Birth | Reims, Marne, France |
| Ethnicity | French and Cameroonian |
| College/University | Obtained Baccalauréat ES (Economic and Social) in 2020 |
| Religion | Muslim |
| Hobbies | Focused on football |
| Controversies | • Unprofessional Label at PSG (2022) After joining PSG on loan in 2022, Hugo Ekitike was publicly criticized by former PSG midfielder Éric Rabesandratana. He described Ekitike as showing “mental weaknesses,” lacking focus in training, and not demonstrating the maturity expected of a professional footballer. [1] • Isolated from First-Team Training (Summer 2023) When PSG pursued Randal Kolo Muani, Ekitike reportedly refused a proposed move to Eintracht Frankfurt. This refusal created friction with club management, with reports indicating he was excluded from first-team training and sidelined from matchday squads. In response, he hired a personal fitness coach to maintain his condition amid speculation and limited playing time. [2] • Criticized Over Transfer Stance (2023–24 Season) Ekitike blocked potential moves to both Eintracht Frankfurt and Crystal Palace, prompting frustration within PSG’s hierarchy. Leaked reports suggested his agents initiated talks independently, which did not sit well with club executives and contributed to further marginalization. [3] • Social Media Backlash After Rejecting Newcastle (2023–2024 After declining a transfer to Newcastle United, Ekitike’s decision drew intense social media criticism, including racist trolling. While he clarified certain actions such as a cryptic Instagram bio change, his choice fueled speculation and fan backlash, reflecting the emotional toll of high-profile transfer drama. [4] |
| Social Media | — Instagram — TikTok |
Relationship & More | |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Girlfriend | Single |
Family | |
| Parents | Father – Cameroonian descent (his dad migrated to Reims, France before Hugo was born) Mother – French-born (from Reims region) – Hugo’s mother comes from a local family in Reims |
| Siblings | Believed to be an only child |
Financial Status | |
| Salary (weekly) | £250,000–£266,000 estimates for Ekitiké’s Liverpool contract |
| Salary (approx.) | £13 Million per annum at Liverpool |
| Net Worth | €3.5 million (as of 2025) |
| Market Value | €75 million per transfermarkt |
Hugo Ekitiké Goalscoring Breakdown
| Team / Competition | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 2025–Present | 0 | 0 |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 2024–2025 | 47 | 19 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 2021–2022 | 13 | 3 |
| Stade de Reims | 2020–2023 | 26 | 10 |
| Stade de Reims II | 2019–2021 | 15 | 6 |
| Vejle Boldklub | 2021–Loan | 11 | 3 |
| Ligue 1 | 2019–2023 | 52 | 13 |
| Bundesliga | 2023–2024 | 47 | 19 |
| Champions League | 2022–Active | 4 | 0 |
Across all competitions, Hugo Ekitike has featured in 151 matches and found the net 50 times
What You Never Knew About Hugo Ekitike
▪ Not many fans realize that Hugo Ekitiké has strong Cameroonian roots through his father, even though he was born and raised in Reims, France. Cameroon once explored the idea of bringing him into their national fold, but Hugo remained focused on representing France. He has already played for the French U20 and U21 teams, showing loyalty to the nation where he developed his football identity.
▪ One of the least talked-about moments in his early career was his loan spell at Vejle BK in Denmark during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hugo had to move alone—no agent, no family. It was a challenging time, but those 11 appearances (3 goals) toughened him mentally and helped him mature fast. Few know that he considers that short stint one of the most important periods in his development.
▪ Although he arrived at PSG with plenty of hype, rumors swirled about his personality off the pitch. Some French reports and fan discussions suggested he struggled to gel in the dressing room, with whispers about a “grosse tête” (big head) attitude early on. Whether true or not, it added pressure, and some feel this influenced PSG’s decision to loan him out.
▪ While Thierry Henry was the expected answer when asked about his role model, Ekitiké surprisingly pointed to Kylian Mbappé. He openly admires Kylian’s mental strength, speed of development, and ability to handle big moments, hoping to mirror that trajectory in his own way.
▪ Another unknown detail is that Hugo obsessively re-watches his own matches. He studies his positioning, mistakes, and build-up play—often more than goal highlights. That kind of self-assessment has drawn comparisons to the Mamba Mentality that drove Kobe Bryant’s greatness in basketball.
Moments in Pictures for Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike’s career stats so far. Credit: SkySports 
Hugo Ekitike sits among Liverpool’s most expensive signings! Credit: SkySports 
Hugo Ekitike ranked first for shots (117) and second for shots on target (48) in the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Credit: Livescore 
Lionel Messi’s nickname for Hugo Ekitike during their time at PSG was “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐝”, in reference to his wiry frame 
Hugo Ekitike 🤝 Neymar Jr 
Hugo Ekitike can speak 11 languages fluently 
Hugo Ekitike and his agent are flying to England to sign for Liverpool
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Hugo Ekitike is not Nigerian. He was born to a Cameroonian father and a French mother in Reims, France, and has chosen to represent France at the youth international level, though he is eligible to play for Cameroon.
Liverpool agreed to a deal worth up to £79 million for Hugo Ekitike, consisting of an initial fee of £69 million plus £10 million in potential add-ons, with the final amount depending on performance-related clauses.
Hugo Ekitike is from France, born in Reims on June 20, 2002.
No, Hugo Ekitike is not on loan. Liverpool’s agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt is for a permanent transfer. He initially joined Frankfurt on loan from PSG in February 2024, but the move became permanent in April 2024 before his transfer to Liverpool.
Hugo Ekitike left PSG because he struggled to secure regular playing time due to the club’s wealth of attacking talent, including Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Neymar. After joining on loan in 2022 and making the move permanent in 2023, he was excluded from the 2023-24 Champions League squad under manager Luis Enrique, who favored a younger forward line. This lack of opportunities led to his loan move to Eintracht Frankfurt in February 2024, which later became permanent.
About the Author
Samuel Ibiok is a passionate football journalist and digital publisher with a sharp eye for storytelling. From detailed player biographies to breaking transfer news and hilarious football memes, I bring each post to life with energy and authenticity. My work blends accuracy with creativity, all driven by a deep love for the beautiful game. Read full bio »
