Next Orban? Europe on alert as Akor Adams takes Norway by storm

Next Orban? Europe on alert as Akor Adams takes Norway by storm
Credit: Iconsport

Akor Adams who plays for Norwegian side Lillestrøm is generating headlines in Norway week in, week out, as his goal-scoring form has continued to soar without signs of stopping, and clubs from Europe have started monitoring him.

The 23-year-old Nigerian striker, Akor Adams, has consistently taken it upon himself to be delivering maximum points for Lillestrom. His knack for scoring late goals this season has ensured his side are comfortably positioned in the Eliteserien standings and a chance to finish the season in the top eight.

Akor Adams has registered 14 goals and two assists in 14 appearances for Lillestrøm across all competitions this season. He scored twice at Rosenborg this week, missing a late penalty that could have gotten him his second hattrick of the season in their 1-2 win.

With Adams on the field of play, Lillestrøm has defeated the big boys of the Norwegian league; Molde and Rosenborg, also defeating the league leaders Bodo/Glimt in the Norwegian cup in April.

Akors' form this season reminds Norwegians, reporters and Nigerian fans about Gift Orban who electrified the country's top-flight league in the 2022/23 season with Stabaek. Orban finished the campaign with 15 goals to his name before switching to Belgium in 2023 to continue his football career.

Lillestrøm and Akor have shifted their attention to the league having been knocked out of the domestic cup by Ull/Kisa in June.

The striker who featured for the Nigeria U-20 side in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2019 will shift his attention to this weekend's game as his side entertain Sandefjord next Sunday. With 12 goals in the league this season, and a goal behind Amahl Pellegrino the leading goalscorer, Akor will be eager to continue his scoring form and try to upstage Pellegrino at the end of the season.

Akor Adams club career

From sources in the public domain, Akor Jerome Adams began his career at Jamba Football Academy in Nigeria.

His career took off when he travelled to Europe to sign his first professional contract in August, 2018 for Norwegian side Sogndal, a three-years deal.

He made his debut for the club on 28 August 2018. He missed much of the 2020 season due to injury. Akor Adams' contract with Sogndal ran off at the end of the 2021 season. He ended the season with 10 goals in 28 games. Overall, he scored 14 goals in 50 appearances for Sogndal.

On 2 December 2021, he signed a three-year contract with Lillestrøm. He would go on to make his competitive debut in the Norwegian cup, scoring against Nardo; and then his Eliteserien debut on 2 April 2022 against HamKam, where he ended up scoring one of the goals in a 2-2 draw.

Akor Adams has been going strong for Lillestrøm and he's the leading goalscorer for the team in the current 2023/24 campaign at the time of writing.

What Akor Adams form could mean for him

Akor Adams in smiling mood for Lillestrøm
Credit: Iconsport

Akor Adams' electrifying form this season could put him in contention for a Super Eagles invitation next year.

For one, Nigeria's frontline at the moment has strong competition, but be that as it may, Akor Adams has the potential to break through the Super Eagles forward ranks and bring his goal-scoring charm for Nigeria.

Granted, Gift Orban has not gotten a call-up having impressed immensely to have received an invite; we believe that his time will come with the national team, just like we are confident that should Akor Adams' form continue, he'll be up for a place in the Super Eagles.

Akor's form could also earn him the top goal scorer award in the Eliteserien at the end of the season, a prospect which most likely puts the striker in a potential move away from Norway as bigger European clubs fight for his signature.

This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago

Joseph Abadi
Joseph is a freelance writer who spends most of his time writing engaging football contents. Based in Nigeria, Joseph is a die-hard Real Madrid fan with over 8 years experience in the sports betting space. He has covered football match previews, predictions, and news across leagues in Africa and Europe.
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