Wikipedia

Ebou Adams

Ebrima "Ebou" Adams (born 15 January 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for EFL Championship club Derby County, and the Gambia national team.

Ebou Adams
Ebou Adams in Walton Casuals colors
Personal information
Full name Ebrima Derby County Adams[1]
Date of birth (1996-01-15) 15 January 1996 (age 28)[2]
Place of birth Greenwich, England
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Derby County
Number 32
Youth career
2006–2010 Orpington
2010–2014 Dartford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2016 Dartford 21 (1)
2014–2015 → Walton Casuals (loan) 26 (2)
2016–2018 Norwich City 0 (0)
2016–2017 → Braintree Town (loan) 3 (0)
2017–2018 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) 5 (0)
2018 → Leyton Orient (loan) 16 (0)
2018–2019 Ebbsfleet United 37 (0)
2019–2022 Forest Green Rovers 108 (9)
2022–2024 Cardiff City 11 (0)
2024 → Derby County (loan) 17 (1)
2024– Derby County 18 (2)
International career‡
2018– Gambia 20 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:45, 2 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:45, 8 September 2024 (UTC)

He began his career at Conference National club Dartford, before gaining regular football and attracting interest from Football League clubs while on loan at Walton Casuals. Adams joined Norwich City in February 2016, and had loan spells at National League sides Braintree Town and EFL League One club Shrewsbury Town, he had another loan spell in the National League with Leyton Orient.

In June 2018, Adams signed with Ebbsfleet United of the National League, where he would remind for a year before returning to league football with Forest Green Rovers of EFL League Two in June 2019, where he would play a major part in the clubs League Two title in 2021–22.

In May 2022, Adams signed a three-year contract with EFL Championship club Cardiff City, however he would have to wait a year for his debut as he missed the whole of 2022–23 season due to two injuries. In January 2024, Adams joined Derby County of League One on loan, where he would help the club gain promotion to the Championship; this move was made permanent in July 2024.

In November 2017, Adams was called up to represent the Gambian national team. The English-born midfielder qualified through his parents and made his debut against Morocco B.

Early life

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Adams was born in Greenwich and attended The John Roan School. After playing his youth football at Sutcliffe Rangers F.C., he joined Dartford's youth ranks at the age of 15.[3] He moved up to the Dartford Academy in August 2012.[4]

Club career

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Dartford

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On 26 April 2014, Adams made his Dartford debut with a 29-minute appearance in a 3–1 defeat to Nuneaton Town. Following his loan at Walton Casuals, he became a regular in the first team set-up and made 16 appearances during the 2015–16 season prior to his departure.[5]

Walton Casuals (loan)

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On 14 September 2014, he joined Isthmian Division One South club Walton Casuals on loan alongside Dartford teammates Kieran Scantlebury and Bode Anidugbe.[6] He scored his first goal for the club in a 5–4 defeat to Whitstable Town the following month.[7] Adams also scored in a 2–0 victory at home to Chipstead in March 2015.[7]

Norwich City

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On 1 February 2016, Adams joined Norwich City on an 18-month contract for an undisclosed fee, becoming Dartford's record sale.[8] He immediately joined up with the Under-23s and made his youth team debut in a 7–0 defeat to a Manchester United team including Sergio Romero, Phil Jones and Memphis Depay.[9]

Adams faced a tough start to life in the professional game with subsequent Premier League 2 appearances against Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.[10] He finished the season with nine Premier League 2 appearances and one assist.[11]

Adams scored his first goal for the club in November 2016, completing a 4–1 win over MK Dons in the EFL Trophy.[12] On 6 March 2017, he scored his first goal of the Premier League 2 campaign with the winning strike in a 2–1 victory at Newcastle United.[13]

Braintree Town (loan)

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In December 2016, Adams moved to National League club Braintree Town on a one-month youth loan.[14] On 17 December, he made his debut from the bench in a 1–1 draw at Gateshead.[15] Completing a full 90 minutes in a 1–0 win at Boreham Wood three days later, Adams was dismissed in the 73rd minute of a 3–2 win over Dagenham & Redbridge.[16] A three-game suspension meant he was unable to feature again during his loan.[17]

Shrewsbury Town (loan)

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On 26 June 2017, he joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a six-month loan.[18] After being named as an unused substitute on the opening day of the season, Adams' debut – a 2–1 EFL Cup exit against Nottingham Forest – proved to be his only defeat with the club.[19] He made his league debut shortly after with an eight-minute appearance from the bench in a 1–0 victory at AFC Wimbledon.[20] He made a further four league appearances all from the bench, although three came in injury time.[21][22][23] Adams recorded just 20 minutes of league action during his time with the club, with his final league appearance coming in a 1–1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on 23 September.[24]

Adams also made two appearances in the EFL Trophy, assisting Louis Dodds for the final goal in a 3–0 victory over West Bromwich Albion U23s on 3 October.[25] The match proved to be his final appearance for the club. In his eight appearances for the club, Adams was involved in a single loss – a 2–1 EFL Cup exit against Nottingham Forest on his debut.[19]

On 8 January 2018, Adams returned to parent club Norwich City.[26]

Leyton Orient (loan)

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On 9 January 2018, he joined National League side Leyton Orient on loan for the remainder of the season.[27]

Ebbsfleet United

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On 1 June 2018, Adams joined National League side Ebbsfleet United.[28]

Forest Green Rovers

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On 18 June 2019, Adams moved to League Two club Forest Green Rovers on a two-year deal.[29] Adams would play a major part in Forest Green's 2021–22 EFL League Two title success.[30] He would also be named in the PFA Team of the Year for that season.[31] Adams made 121 appearances for Forest Green in a three-year spell in Gloucestershire.[32]

Cardiff City

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On 13 May 2022, it was announced Adams would join Championship club Cardiff City on a three-year deal on 1 July.[33] His first season was ended in pre-season as he suffered a clean tear of his pectoral muscle tendon 10 minutes into his first pre-season friendly for the club against Cambridge United in July 2022.[34] He was due for a return six months later but then picked up a knee injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season without making a senior first team appearance.[34]

Adams made his debut for Cardiff on 6 August 2023, in a 1–1 draw at Leeds United as a 31st minute substitute for Joe Ralls.[34][35] He would make 13 appearances for Cardiff during the 2023–24 season.[32]

Derby County (loan)

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On 31 January 2024, Adams joined Derby County of League One, on a loan until the end of the 2023–24 season.[32] Adams made his debut for Derby on 3 February 2024, in a 1–0 win at Charlton Athletic, where he started the game and played 72 minutes, before being substituted by Liam Thompson.[36] Adams became a regular in Derby's midfield and impressed fans and teammates with his performances, Derby head coach Paul Warne was asked in March fans forum about the possibility of making the move permanent, Warne stated this was "less likely than more likely" to happen.[37] On 29 March 2024, Adams scored his first goal for Derby in a 1–0 over Blackpool his goal was a first time effort on the edge of the box in the 40th minute,[38] this goal was announced as Derby's goal of the season at their awards night.[39] Adams received a nomination for League One Player of the Month for March.[40] Adams made 17 appearances during his loan at Derby, as they finished runners-up in League One and secured promotion the Championship.[41] At the end of his loan, Adams said he loved his time at Derby and admitted it would be hard to leave the club as fans chanted "sign him up!" in Derby's final game of the season against Carlisle United where he was named man of the match.[42]

Derby County

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On 17 July 2024, Adams joined Derby County on a permanent basis for an undisclosed transfer fee, signing a three-year contract.[43] On 24 August 2024, Adams scored his first goal of the 2024–25 season in the second minute of a 2-1 loss to Watford at Vicarage Road.[44] On 14 September 2024, Adams missed an open goal in the 97th minute of a 1-0 home victory over former club Cardiff City.[45] Derby head coach Paul Warne called the miss "hilarious" and reminded him of Ronny Rosenthal's infamous miss for Liverpool against Aston Villa in September 1992.[46] Adams was one Derby's best performers in the first two months of the 2024–25 season, with his strengths being his sheer work rate he gives to team, which flaws in his passing game may negate at times.[47]

International career

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Born in England to Gambian parents, Adams debuted for the Gambia national team in November 2017 against Morocco B.[48] He played in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Gambia's first continental tournament, where they reached the quarter-finals.[49][50]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 1 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dartford 2013–14[5] Conference National 1 0 0 0 — 2[a] 0 3 0
2014–15[5] Conference National 4 0 0 0 — 1[a] 0 5 0
2015–16[5] National League South 16 1 1 0 — 2[a] 0 19 1
Total 21 1 1 0 — 5 0 27 1
Walton Casuals (loan) 2014–15 Isthmian Division One South 26 2 0 0 — 2[b] 0 28 2
Norwich City 2015–16[51] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2016–17[52] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 1 1 1
2017–18[53] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1
Braintree Town (loan) 2016–17[54] National League 3 0 0 0 — 0 0 3 0
Shrewsbury Town (loan) 2017–18[55] League One 5 0 0 0 1 0 2[c] 0 8 0
Leyton Orient (loan) 2017–18[55] National League 16 0 0 0 0 0 4[d] 1 20 1
Ebbsfleet United 2018–19[56] National League 37 0 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 39 0
Forest Green Rovers 2019–20[57] League Two 34 4 3 0 2 0 1[c] 0 40 4
2020–21[58] League Two 37 2 0 0 1 0 2[e] 1 40 3
2021–22[59] League Two 37 3 1 0 2 0 1[c] 0 41 3
Total 108 9 4 0 5 0 4 1 121 10
Cardiff City 2022–23[60] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2023–24[61] Championship 11 0 0 0 2 0 — 13 0
Total 11 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 13 0
Derby County (loan) 2023–24[61] League One 17 1 — — — 17 1
Derby County 2024–25[62] Championship 18 2 0 0 1 0 — 19 2
Career total 260 15 6 0 9 0 19 3 294 18
  1. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in Kent Senior Cup
  2. ^ One appearance in Surrey Senior Cup, one appearance in Southern Combination Challenge Cup
  3. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Appearances in FA Trophy
  5. ^ One appearance in EFL Trophy, one appearance in League Two play-offs

International

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As of match played 11 September 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Gambia 2018 4 0
2019 3 0
2021 1 0
2022 3 0
2023 4 0
2024 5 1
Total 20 1
Scores and results list Gambia's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 11 June 2024 Stade de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon   Gabon 2–3 2–3 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

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Forest Green Rovers

Derby County

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "EFL Released and Retained List 2016–17" (PDF). English Football League. p. 97. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Ebou Adams". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  3. ^ "EBOU ADAMS: A Thank you and Good Bye – Dartford Football Club". Dartford Football Club. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Ebou Adams – Dartford Football Club". Dartford Football Club. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d "Dartford FC Player Profiles. Last update 28.6.2017". www.thedarts.eu. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Four new signings announced – Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. 14 September 2014. Archived from the original on 17 October 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  7. ^ a b Brooker, Kane (28 August 2015). "A complete statistical database of Walton Casuals FC (1992–2016)". Retrieved 12 July 2016
  8. ^ "Welcome to Norwich City Football Club CITY SIGN DARTFORD'S EBOU ADAMS". Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  9. ^ Pollard, Rob (8 February 2016). "Manchester United under-21s 7–0 Norwich under-21s: Will Keane grabs FIVE as Reds coast to victory". men. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  10. ^ "England – Norwich City Under 23 – Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news – Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Ebou Adams | Football Stats | Norwich City | Age 21 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  12. ^ "REPORT: Norwich U21s 4–1 MK Dons". www.miltonkeynes.co.uk. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  13. ^ "Welcome to Norwich City Football Club UNDER-23s: NEWCASTLE 1–2 UNDER-23s". Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  14. ^ "Norwich City youngster Ebou Adams joins Braintree Town on loan". BBC Sport. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  15. ^ "Gateshead 1–1 Braintree Town". BBC Sport. 17 December 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  16. ^ "Boreham Wood 0–1 Braintree Town". BBC Sport. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  17. ^ "Braintree Town 3–2 Dagenham & Redbridge". BBC Sport. 26 December 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Ebou Adams Joins On Loan". Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Nottingham Forest 2–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  20. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 0–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  21. ^ "Shrewsbury Town 3–2 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 19 August 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  22. ^ "Shrewsbury Town 1–0 Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. 9 September 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  23. ^ "Oldham Athletic 1–2 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  24. ^ "Shrewsbury Town 1–1 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  25. ^ "Match Report: Shrewsbury Town 3 – 0 West Bromwich Albion U21s". shropshirelive.com. 4 October 2017. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  26. ^ Cox, Lewis. "Ebou Adams completes Shrewsbury loan and returns to Norwich City". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  27. ^ "NEWS: Ebou Adams joins on loan". Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  28. ^ "Macca makes his opening bow with Ebou". Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  29. ^ "SIGNING: Forest Green secure signing of exciting midfielder Ebou Adams". Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  30. ^ a b "Forest Green's title win 'surreal' – Edwards". BBC Sport.
  31. ^ a b "Mohamed Salah and Sam Kerr win PFA player of year awards". BBC Sport. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  32. ^ a b c "Ebou Adams: Derby County sign Cardiff City midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Ebou Adams is a Bluebird". Cardiff City. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  34. ^ a b c "'I had Triple H's injury!': Cardiff midfielder Ebou Adams' long road back". BBC Sport. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  35. ^ "Leeds United 1–1 Cardiff City". BBC Sport. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  36. ^ "Charlton Athletic 0–1 Derby County". BBC Sport. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  37. ^ "Paul Warne addresses Ebou Adams' future as Cardiff City transfer question raised". Derby Telegraph. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  38. ^ "Derby County 1–0 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  39. ^ "Nelson Named Derby's 2023/24 Jack Stamps Player of the Season". Derby County. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  40. ^ "Warne + Adams up for League One's March awards". Derby County. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  41. ^ "Breaking: Derby County promoted as duo seal it for Paul Warne's side". Derby Telegraph. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  42. ^ a b "Ebou Adams addresses his future amid the 'sign him up' Derby County chants". Derby Telegraph. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  43. ^ "Ebou Adams: Derby County re-sign Cardiff City midfielder on permanent deal". BBC Sport. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  44. ^ "Watford 2–1 Derby County". BBC Sport. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  45. ^ "Derby County 1–0 Cardiff City". BBC Sport. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  46. ^ "It was hilarious – Paul Warne sees funny side of glaring late Derby miss". Limerick Leader. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  47. ^ "'Blimey' - the winners and the losers as brilliant Derby County defy early expectation". Derby Telegraph. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  48. ^ "Ebou Adams receives Gambia call-up".
  49. ^ https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa -cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243295/lineups
  50. ^ "The Gambia name squad for first Nations Cup finals". BBC Sport.
  51. ^ "Games played by Ebou Adams in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  52. ^ "Ebou Adams | Football Stats | Norwich City | Season 2016/2017 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  53. ^ "Ebou Adams | Football Stats | Norwich City | Season 2017/2018 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  54. ^ "Games played by Ebou Adams in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  55. ^ a b "Games played by Ebou Adams in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  56. ^ "Games played by Ebou Adams in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  57. ^ "Games played by Ebou Adams in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  58. ^ "Games played by Ebou Adams in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  59. ^ "Games played by Ebou Adams in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  60. ^ "Games played by Ebou Adams in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  61. ^ a b "Games played by Ebou Adams in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  62. ^ "Games played by Ebou Adams in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
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