Adebayo Linford Kazim "Ade" Azeez (born 8 January 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Billericay Town. He began his career with Charlton Athletic, spending time on loan to Wycombe Wanderers, Leyton Orient, Torquay United and Dagenham & Redbridge before being released in 2014. He then played for AFC Wimbledon, making 85 appearances, before signing for Partick Thistle in 2016. He has represented the England under-19 team.

Ade Azeez
Azeez as a substitute for AFC Wimbledon in September 2015
Personal information
Full name Adebayo Linford Kazim Azeez[1]
Date of birth (1994-01-08) 8 January 1994 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth Bromley, London, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Billericay Town
Youth career
0000–2008 Rivercray
2008–2012 Charlton Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 Charlton Athletic 0 (0)
2012–2013Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 4 (0)
2013Leyton Orient (loan) 1 (0)
2013–2014Torquay United (loan) 9 (2)
2014Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 15 (3)
2014–2016 AFC Wimbledon 85 (12)
2016–2017 Partick Thistle 38 (2)
2017–2019 Cambridge United 39 (2)
2018Dover Athletic (loan) 12 (1)
2019–2020 Newport County 12 (1)
2020Torquay United (loan) 3 (1)
2020–2021 Dover Athletic 13 (2)
2021–2022 Dartford 36 (11)
2022–2023 Welling United 42 (15)
2023– Billericay Town 15 (3)
International career
2012 England U19 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:10, 26 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:10, 26 January 2024 (UTC)

Early life

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Azeez was born in Sidcup, and attended Coopers Technology College in Chislehurst both in South East London.[citation needed] As a youngster he was a promising gymnast, and trained at Bromley Valley Gymnastics Centre before leaving to concentrate on football. He moved to his local club, Rivercray and it was from here that he was spotted as a talent by Charlton Athletic and signed a scholarships in 2010.[3] Azeez is of Nigerian descent.[4] Ade Azeez has a son named Ade Junior, aged 4 years old with his partner who he met when they were both 15 years old.[citation needed]

Club career

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Charlton Athletic

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Azeez joined Charlton Athletic at the age of 14 and he progressed through the ranks before signing a professional contract in the summer of 2011. On 22 November 2012, Azeez was loaned to League Two side Wycombe Wanderers until January 2013.[5] Charlton's Manager Chris Powell believed it was a good move for Azeez and that he could learn from the experience.[6] He made his professional debut two days later, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute to replace Joel Grant in a 3–0 win against Burton Albion.[7] However, as he made his first start in the quarter final of the Southern Section of Football League Trophy against Yeovil Town, which they lost 2–0, Azeez sustained a hamstring injury in the 25th minute and had to come off.[8]

Soon after Charlton rejected an offer to have his loan with Wycombe extended,[9] Azeez made his debut for Charlton Athletic in the 1–0 home defeat to Huddersfield Town in the FA cup, replacing Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 78th minute.[10] After making his debut, Azeez said making his debut was something that he wanted to do at the club and was thankful to Powell for giving him the opportunity.[11]

On 18 January 2013 he signed on loan for Leyton Orient,[12] and made his only appearance for the club in a 2–0 away defeat at Doncaster Rovers the following day.[13] Azeez's loan spell with Leyton Orient came to an end on 18 February 2013.[14]

Azeez received a number 38 shirt for the 2013–14 season.[15] On 26 September 2013, Azeez joined League Two side Torquay United on a one-month youth loan.[16] Two days later he scored his first professional goal after coming on for Torquay in their 2–1 defeat to Newport County.[17] A week later, on 14 October 2013, Azeez scored again, in a 3–2 loss against Wycombe Wanderers.[18] Having scored twice in six games, Azeez had his loan spell with Torquay United extended for a further month.[19] After this extension Azeez returned to Charlton.[20]

On 8 February 2014 he signed for Dagenham & Redbridge on a one-month youth loan.[21] Two days later, on 10 February 2014, Azeez made his debut for the club, in a 2–0 loss against Hartlepool United.[22] On 10 March 2014, Azeez extended his loan with the "Daggers" for a further month, until 5 April 2014.[23] Days after extending his deal, on 11 March 2014, he scored his first goal for the club and then scored another, in a 2–1 win over Bristol Rovers.[24] His loan was extended even further on 9 April 2014, this time until the end of the 2013–14 season.[25] In the last game of the season Azeez scored his third goal for the club in a 3–2 win over Cheltenham Town.[26]

On 22 May 2014 he was released from Charlton Athletic in the summer upon expiry of his contract.[27]

AFC Wimbledon

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On 26 June 2014 Azeez signed with League Two side AFC Wimbledon on a free transfer.[28] Upon joining the club, Azeez was given the number fourteen shirt ahead of the new season.[29]

After being an unused substitute in the opening game of the season, Azeez made his Wimbledon debut against Luton Town, where he came on for Matt Tubbs in a 1–0 victory.[30] Azeez scored his first Wimbledon goal on 30 August 2014, in a 3–2 defeat against Stevenage,[31] followed up scoring in the next game against Carlisle United.[32] Azeez scored two months later on 7 October 2014 against Milton Keynes Dons in a 3–2 victory.[33] Two months later on 28 December 2014, Azeez scored twice, in a 4–1 win over Exeter City.[34] Azeez then scored, in a 2–1 win over Accrington Stanley on 24 January 2015.[35] His seventh goal of the season came on 14 April 2015, in a 1–1 draw against Plymouth Argyle.[36] Spending much of the season as an impact substitute, he quickly became popular with the club's fans, with his pace often panicking tiring defenders.[37]

Partick Thistle

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Ade Azeez signed for Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle on 15 June 2016. He was Alan Archibald's first summer signing of the 2016–17 season.[38] Azeez scored his first goal for Thistle in a 4–1 away win over Stenhousemuir in the Scottish League Cup.[39] Azeez scored his first league goal for Thistle in a 2–0 away win against Dundee at Dens Park, Azeez opened the scoring with a first half header.[40] Azeez scored his second league goal of the season during a shock 1–1 draw with champions Celtic at Celtic Park.[41] In all competitions, Azeez made 46 appearances for the Jags scoring three goals.

Cambridge United

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On 5 July 2017 Partick Thistle accepted an undisclosed fee for Azeez from Cambridge. On 23 February 2018 Azeez joined Dover Athletic on loan. The loan was subsequently extended to the end of the 2017–18 season.[42]

Newport County

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On 31 January 2019 Azeez joined Newport County on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[43][44] He made his Newport debut on 23 February 2019 in the 2–0 League Two defeat against Milton Keynes Dons as a second half substitute.[45] He scored his first goal for Newport on 2 March 2019 in the 2–0 win against Carlisle United in League Two.[46] He was part of the team that reached the League Two playoff final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2019, although he was an unused substitute in the final.[47] He was injured in July 2019, and ruled out for 6 months.[48] On 11 February 2020, having recovered from the injury, Azeez joined Torquay United on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[49] On 14 September 2020 his contract at Newport was terminated by mutual consent.[50]

Dover Athletic

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On 3 October 2020, Azeez joined National League side Dover Athletic, where he had previously spent time on loan, being one of four new signings on the day of the new season commencement.[51] He made his debut later that day in an opening day 1-0 victory over Notts County.[52] On 27 October 2020, he scored his first goal back at the club with the winner in a 3–2 victory over Eastleigh.[53] Following's Dover's decision to not play any more matches in the 2020–21 season, made in late January, and subsequent null and voiding of all results, on 5 May 2021 it was announced that Azeez was out of contract and had left the club.[54]

Dartford

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On 16 June 2021, Azeez joined National League South side Dartford ahead of the 2021–22 season.[55] After scoring seven goals at a rate of one every 88 minutes, Azeez was awarded the league's Player-of-the-Month award for August/September 2021.[56]

On 27 May 2022, Azeez announced he would leave the club following the end of the 2021–22 season.

Welling United

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On 31 May 2022, Azeez joined National League South side Welling United ahead of the 2022–23 season.[57]

Billericay Town

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In May 2023, Azeez signed for Isthmian League Premier Division club Billericay Town.[58]

International career

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On 19 September 2012, Azeez earned a call-up by England under-19.[59] Azeez made his debut for England on 28 September 2013, where he set up the third goal, as they beat Faroe Islands under-19, 6–0.[60] Azeez added two more caps for England under-19 against Ukraine under-19 on 1 October 2012[61] and another against Finland under-19, where he assisted the only goal in the game on 13 November 2012.[62]

Career statistics

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As of 2 December 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Charlton Athletic 2012–13[63] Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2012–13[63] League Two 4 0 1[a] 0 5 0
Leyton Orient (loan) 2012–13[63] League One 1 0 1 0
Torquay United (loan) 2013–14[64] League Two 9 2 1 0 10 2
Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 2013–14[64] League Two 15 3 15 3
AFC Wimbledon 2014–15[65] League Two 43 5 4 0 0 0 3[b] 1 50 6
2015–16[66] League Two 42 7 1 0 1 0 4[c] 1 48 8
Total 85 12 5 0 1 0 7 2 98 14
Partick Thistle 2016–17[67] Scottish Premiership 38 2 3 0 5 1 46 0
Cambridge United 2017–18[68] League Two 13 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 16 0
2018–19[69] League Two 26 2 1 0 1 1 4 5 32 8
Total 39 2 2 0 2 1 5 5 48 8
Dover Athletic (loan) 2017–18[68] National League 12 1 12 1
Newport County 2018–19[69] League Two 12 1 3[d] 0 15 1
2019–20[70] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 12 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 15 1
Torquay United (loan) 2019–20[70] National League 3 1 3 1
Dover Athletic 2020–21[71] National League 13 2 1 0 1[e] 1 15 3
Dartford 2021–22[72] National League South 36 11 3 4 8[f][g][h][i] 3 47 18
Welling United 2022–23[73] National League South 42 15 3 0 2[j] 2 47 17
Billericay Town 2023–24[74] Isthmian League Premier Division 15 3 5 3 3[k][l] 2 23 8
Career totals 324 55 24 7 8 2 30 15 386 79
  1. ^ One appearance in the Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Three appearances in the Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Three appearances in League Two play-offs, one in Football League Trophy
  4. ^ Three appearances in the League Two Playoffs
  5. ^ One appearance in the FA Trophy
  6. ^ Three appearances in the FA Trophy
  7. ^ One appearance in the London Senior Cup
  8. ^ Three appearances in the Kent Senior Cup
  9. ^ One appearance in the National League South play-offs
  10. ^ Two appearances in the FA Trophy
  11. ^ Two appearances in the FA Trophy
  12. ^ One appearance in the Essex Senior Cup

Honours

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AFC Wimbledon

Dartford

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. May 2013. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Ade Azeez". 11v11. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Charlton hand deal to son of Bromley boss Mark Goldberg". BBC Sport. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  4. ^ "Official: Adebayo Azeez Joins Leyton Orient On Loan". All Nigeria Soccer. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Ade Azeez joins Wycombe Wanderers from Charlton on loan". bbc.co.uk. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Powell hopeful over loan deals". Charlton Athletic FC. 22 November 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Wycombe Wanderers 3–0 Burton Albion". bbc.co.uk. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  8. ^ "Loan watch: Injury for Azeez". Charlton Athletic FC. 5 December 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Mambo makes Shrews move". Charlton Athletic FC. 31 December 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Charlton 0–1 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  11. ^ "Cup debut delights striker". Charlton Athletic FC. 7 January 2013. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Leyton Orient sign Charlton Athletic's Ade Azeez on loan". BBC Sport. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Doncaster Rovers 2–0 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 19 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Loan watch: Mambo left out". Charlton Athletic FC. 18 January 2013. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  15. ^ "2013/14 squad numbers revealed". Charlton Athletic FC. 24 July 2013. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  16. ^ "United Sign Azeez". Torquayunited.com. 26 September 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  17. ^ "Newport County 2–1 Torquay United". BBC Sport. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  18. ^ "Loan watch: Ade doubles his tally". Charlton Athletic FC. 14 October 2013. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  19. ^ "Azeez extends Torquay loan spell". Charlton Athletic FC. 28 October 2013. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  20. ^ "Loan watch: Fox makes debut". Charlton Athletic FC. 2 December 2013. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
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  23. ^ "Striker Extends Loan At Daggers". Dagenham & Redbridge FC. 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014.
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  26. ^ "LOAN WATCH: Hollands hits a hat-trick". Charlton Athletic FC. 6 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  27. ^ "Charlton announce list of released players". Charlton Athletic FC. 22 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014.
  28. ^ "Neal adds a third striker". AFC Wimbledon. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014.
  29. ^ "Squad numbers for 2014/15". AFC Wimbledon. 14 July 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  30. ^ "Luton Town 0 – 1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  31. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 2–3 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  32. ^ "Carlisle United 4–4 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  33. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons 2 – 3 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  34. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 4 – 1 Exeter City". BBC Sport. 28 December 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  35. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 2 – 1 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  36. ^ "Plymouth Argyle 1–1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  37. ^ "Azeez strives to improve". AFC Wimbledon. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  38. ^ "Thistle make first summer signing". Archived from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  39. ^ "Scottish League Cup (Sky Sports)". SkySports. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  40. ^ "Dundee 0–2 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  41. ^ "Celtic 1–1 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  42. ^ "Ade Azeez: Dover Athletic extend Cambridge striker's loan until the end of the season". BBC Sport. 21 March 2018.
  43. ^ "Newport County sign Adebayo Azeez, Ben Kennedy and Harry McKirdy". BBC Sport. 31 January 2019.
  44. ^ Azeez joins Newport
  45. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons 2–0 Newport County". BBC Sport. 23 February 2019.
  46. ^ "Newport County 2–0 Carlisle United". BBC Sport. 2 March 2019.
  47. ^ Pearlman, Michael (25 May 2019). "League Two play-off final: Newport County 0-1 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  48. ^ "Ade Azeez: Newport County striker ruled out for six months". BBC Sport. 15 July 2019.
  49. ^ Azeez loan to Torquay United
  50. ^ Azeez leaves Newport
  51. ^ "HESS MAKES HIS MOVE". www.doverathletic.co.uk. 3 October 2020.
  52. ^ "Dover Athletic 1-0 Notts County". BBC Sport. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  53. ^ "Dover Athletic 3–2 Eastleigh". BBC Sport. 27 October 2020.
  54. ^ "RETAINED AND RELEASED LIST". www.doverathletic.com. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  55. ^ "NEW SIGNING: ADE AZEEZ". www.dartfordfc.com. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  56. ^ a b "August/September National League South Award Winners Confirmed!". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 11 October 2021.
  57. ^ "Welling United sign striker Ade Azzez from National League South rivals Dartford". www.kentonline.co.uk. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  58. ^ "Ade Azeez becomes first summer signing". www.billericaytownfc.co.uk. 14 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  59. ^ "Azeez receives first England U19 call". Charlton Athletic FC. 19 September 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  60. ^ "Azeez assists for England". Charlton Athletic FC. 1 October 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  61. ^ "Azeez helps ensure England are Elite". Charlton Athletic FC. 2 October 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  62. ^ "Azeez makes England impact". Charlton Athletic FC. 14 November 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  63. ^ a b c "Games played by Adebayo Azeez in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  64. ^ a b "Games played by Adebayo Azeez in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  65. ^ "Games played by Adebayo Azeez in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  66. ^ "Games played by Adebayo Azeez in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  67. ^ "Games played by Ade Azeez in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  68. ^ a b "Games played by Ade Azeez in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  69. ^ a b "Games played by Ade Azeez in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  70. ^ a b "Games played by Ade Azeez in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  71. ^ "Games played by Ade Azeez in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  72. ^ "Games played by Ade Azeez in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  73. ^ "Games played by Ade Azeez in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  74. ^ "Games played by Ade Azeez in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  75. ^ Pilnick, Brent (30 May 2016). "AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
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