Hugo Timothée Ekitike is a 23 year old French professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Liverpool and the France national team. He was born in Reims, France, to a Cameroonian father and French mother, Ekitike has risen from local football in Reims to become one of Europe’s most sought after young strikers. His journey took him through Reims, Paris Saint-Germain, and Eintracht Frankfurt before his record breaking move to Liverpool in July 2025 for a fee of up to £79 million.
Full Name: Hugo Timothée Ekitike
Date of Birth: 20 June 2002
Age: 23 (as of 2025)
Place of Birth: Reims, Marne, France
Nationality: Cameroonian, French
Position: Striker
Current Club: Liverpool FC
Early Life and Family Background
Hugo Timothée Ekitike was born on June 20, 2002, in Reims, a historic city in the Marne department of northeastern France. He grew up in a vibrant multicultural household that shaped his identity and worldview. His father is from Cameroon, bringing African roots and culture into the family home, while his mother is French, providing him with his French nationality and connection to European culture.
From the moment he could walk, Hugo showed an undeniable passion for football. As soon as he could walk, Hugo wanted to play football, a sentiment his family often shared when recalling his childhood. This early love for the game would define his entire life path. Growing up, he was surrounded by the love and support of his parents and grandparents, who became his mirror and the people who knew him more than anyone else.
Most of Ekitike’s childhood years were spent with his parents and grandparents in Reims. The family was supportive and close, with Hugo always choosing to spend his breaks with them instead of going elsewhere. This strong family foundation gave him the stability and encouragement needed to pursue his football dreams. He is very close to his parents and remains deeply connected to his family despite his rising fame.
The combination of his Cameroonian and French heritage has given him dual eligibility to represent either nation at the international level. This background places him among a growing number of French-born athletes with African ancestry who navigate between two cultural identities. He has spoken about his pride in both heritages, emphasizing the importance of his Cameroonian background while also showing deep gratitude to France for his development.
Football Beginnings and Youth Career
Hugo began his football journey at the tender age of eight when he joined Cormontreuil FC in 2008, a small local football club in Cormontreuil near Reims. Like many great footballers, he started playing in local fields and neighborhood pitches, developing his skills through countless hours of practice and small-sided games.
His exceptional talent quickly became evident as he progressed through the youth system at Cormontreuil FC. After polishing his skills until age 11, his abilities caught the attention of bigger clubs. In 2013, at just 11 years old, Ekitike joined the youth academy of Stade de Reims, his hometown club. This move represented a significant step up in his development, as Reims had a reputation for developing young French talent.
At the Reims academy, Hugo enhanced his skills as a player under professional coaching and structured training programs. He worked his way up through the junior levels, consistently standing out for his goal-scoring ability, pace, and technical skills. Coaches noted his energetic style, finishing ability, speed, agility, confidence, and positioning, comparing him to other top strikers.
Despite his talent, like many young players, Ekitike had to balance his football training with education. He likely completed his secondary education while training intensely at the Reims academy, learning to manage the dual demands of academics and athletics. This period taught him discipline and time management skills that would serve him well in his professional career.
During his youth career, he received the first ever Abdelhak Nouri Trofee on June 7, 2018. This award recognized him as the best talent in the Ajax academy, though this appears to be an error in some sources as he was actually at Reims. Regardless, his talent was undeniable, and he signed his first professional contract with Reims on the same day he received recognition for his abilities.
Professional Career
Stade de Reims
On July 12, 2020, at just 18 years old, Ekitike signed his first professional contract with Stade de Reims. This marked his official transition from promising youth player to professional footballer. The contract demonstrated Reims’ belief in his potential and their commitment to his development.
His professional debut came quickly. On October 17, 2020, Ekitike made his senior team debut in a 3-1 Ligue 1 loss to Lorient. Despite the defeat, the occasion was significant for the young striker, representing the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of his professional journey. He was just 18 years and a few months old when he stepped onto the pitch for the first time as a professional.
However, Reims recognized that he needed more playing time to develop, which was difficult to guarantee in the competitive environment of Ligue 1. On January 29, 2021, Ekitike joined Danish Superliga club Vejle Boldklub on loan for the rest of the season. This move to Denmark proved beneficial, giving him regular first team football in a less pressured environment.
During his loan spell at Vejle, Ekitike scored 3 goals in 11 appearances. The experience of playing senior football every week in Denmark helped him mature as a player and build confidence. He returned to Reims for the 2021-22 season with valuable experience and greater readiness for the demands of top level football.
The 2021-22 season became Ekitike’s breakthrough campaign. On September 26, 2021, he scored Reims’ second and third goals in a 3-1 win against Nantes, having come on as a substitute. This brace announced his arrival as a serious goal threat in Ligue 1 and caught the attention of bigger clubs across Europe.
By the end of the 2021-22 season, Ekitike had scored 10 goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances for Reims. His impressive form made him one of the most talked about young strikers in French football. His ability to score goals, combined with his pace and technical skills, attracted significant attention from top European clubs.
In the January 2022 transfer window, Newcastle United made a potential transfer offer for Ekitike, but he rejected the move. This decision showed his patience and desire to continue developing before making a big career move. Little did he know that much bigger opportunities were just around the corner.
Move to Paris Saint-Germain
On July 16, 2022, Paris Saint-Germain announced the signing of Ekitike on a season-long loan with an option to buy for a reported fee of €35 million including bonuses. According to several sources, the purchase option in the deal was made mandatory, meaning PSG would eventually have to make the transfer permanent.
This move to PSG represented a massive step up for the young striker. He would now be training and playing alongside some of the world’s best players, including Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé. The opportunity to learn from such legendary forwards was invaluable, even if it meant less guaranteed playing time.
Ekitike made his PSG debut as a substitute in a 5-0 league win away to Clermont on August 6, 2022. His first start for the club came on October 1 in a 2-1 league victory over Nice at the Parc des Princes. Ten days later, on October 11, he made his UEFA Champions League debut, coming on as a late match substitute in a 1-1 home draw against Benfica.
His first goal for Paris Saint-Germain came on November 13, 2022, in a 5-0 home win over Auxerre. Despite limited playing time due to PSG’s star studded squad, Ekitike showed flashes of his potential whenever given opportunities. He finished the 2022-23 season with four goals and four assists in thirty two matches across all competitions.
More importantly, he won his first Ligue 1 title with PSG. Being part of a championship winning team, even in a limited role, provided valuable experience and added an important trophy to his collection. The season also gave him his first taste of Champions League football, playing against Europe’s elite clubs.
In June 2023, his transfer to PSG became a permanent deal worth €28.5 million plus €6.5 million in bonuses. However, despite now being a full PSG player, his situation did not improve. The club had too many attacking options, and Ekitike struggled to break into the starting lineup.
For the 2023-24 season, PSG won Ligue 1 again, giving Ekitike his second consecutive league title. However, his personal situation was frustrating. He made limited appearances and was notably excluded from PSG’s 2023-24 Champions League squad, a clear sign that the club did not see him as a key part of their plans. He managed only one league appearance as a permanent PSG player during this period.
The lack of playing time at PSG presented a clear challenge to his career progression. At a crucial stage of his development, Ekitike needed regular first team football to continue improving. Sitting on the bench at PSG, even while winning titles, was not helping his growth as a player.
Breakthrough at Eintracht Frankfurt
Seeking more playing opportunities, Ekitike joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan on February 1, 2024, with an option to buy. This move to the Bundesliga would prove to be the turning point in his career. He made his debut as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat away to FC Köln two days later.
Initially, Ekitike needed time to adapt to German football and Frankfurt’s style of play. However, on April 19, 2024, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 home victory over FC Augsburg. This goal helped him gain confidence and build momentum heading into the final weeks of the season.
Just one week later, on April 26, 2024, the buy option in Ekitike’s loan deal at Eintracht Frankfurt was activated. The club transferred him permanently for a fee of €16.5 million, signing him to a deal until the end of the 2028-29 season. This permanent move showed Frankfurt’s belief in his potential and gave him the stability he needed.
The very next day after his permanent signing was confirmed, Ekitike scored a goal in a 2-1 defeat away to Bayern Munich. The goal was a right footed strike from outside the box into the bottom right corner of the net, showcasing his shooting ability and confidence. He finished his initial loan spell with 4 goals in 14 Bundesliga matches.
The 2024-25 season became the breakout campaign of Ekitike’s career. Playing regularly as Frankfurt’s main striker, he flourished in the Bundesliga. By the end of the season, Ekitike had scored 15 goals in 33 league games, establishing himself as one of the most prolific young strikers in Europe.
In addition to his league performances, Ekitike also excelled in the Europa League. On April 10, 2025, he scored a long range strike in the Europa League quarter finals first leg against Tottenham Hotspur. He finished the European campaign with 4 goals in 12 Europa League matches, helping Frankfurt on their continental journey.
His overall tally for the 2024-25 season was remarkable. Ekitike scored 22 goals in all competitions, becoming Frankfurt’s top scorer. His performances were instrumental in helping Frankfurt secure a 3rd place finish in the Bundesliga, which secured a spot in the 2025-26 Champions League.
At the end of the campaign, Ekitike’s outstanding season was recognized when he appeared in the 2024-25 Bundesliga Team of the Season. This honor confirmed his status as one of the best strikers in Germany and one of the most exciting young forwards in European football. His transformation from struggling PSG substitute to Bundesliga star striker was complete.
Transfer to Liverpool
Following his exceptional season at Frankfurt, Ekitike became one of the most sought after strikers in the 2025 summer transfer window. Several top European clubs expressed interest, but Liverpool emerged as the frontrunners to sign him. On July 23, 2025, Liverpool officially announced the signing of Ekitike in a transfer worth up to €95 million.
The transfer includes an €80 million initial payment and €15 million of performance related add-ons. If all add-ons are reached, it would present a club record fee for Eintracht Frankfurt, surpassing the €95 million paid for Randal Kolo Muani by Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. The deal makes Ekitike the third most expensive player in Liverpool’s history.
According to reports from The Athletic and The Independent, Newcastle United had also offered €75 million for Ekitike, echoing their approach for the player in 2022. However, Ekitike made clear his preference to join Liverpool, turning down Newcastle for the second time in his career.
Ekitike signed a six year contract with Liverpool, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2031. He was given a temporary squad number initially before confirming his choice to wear number 9. Liverpool manager Arne Slot played a key role in convincing Ekitike to join, outlining his plans for integrating him into the team’s attacking system.
The French striker travelled to London to complete his medical and sign his contract before jetting off to Asia to link up with Liverpool’s squad on their pre-season tour. His arrival signaled the likely departure of Darwin Núñez, who had interest from Saudi Arabia, as Slot continued to reshape the squad he inherited.
Ekitike has made an immediate impact at Liverpool. In the FA Community Shield match, he scored his team’s first goal, though Liverpool eventually lost on penalties. In his English Premier League debut against AFC Bournemouth, Ekitike scored a goal and also assisted another, becoming the first French player in league history to score and assist in his debut match.
His hot start continued as he scored in each of his first three Premier League games for Liverpool, a feat not achieved by a new Liverpool player since Daniel Sturridge 12 years earlier. His instant adaptation to English football has excited Liverpool fans and justified the club’s significant investment in him.
When Liverpool faced Frankfurt in the Champions League, Ekitike did not celebrate after scoring against his former club. He stated that he had so much respect for Eintracht who had made him the player he is now. This gesture of respect endeared him to both sets of fans and showed his character.
Religion
Hugo Ekitike is a devout Muslim who was raised in a Muslim household. Prayer has always been part of his life from a young age, and his faith remains central to his identity and daily routine. He has often shared Alhamdulillah, Arabic for praise be to God, in social media captions, publicly expressing his gratitude to Allah.
Multiple videos have surfaced of him making dua, which is a prayer of supplication and invocation in Islam, before matches. In one notable instance during a France vs Azerbaijan game, he stood alone on the field with hands raised in prayer just before the second half.
Personal Life
Ekitike maintains a notably private personal life, shying away from public disclosures about his relationships. This privacy aligns with his focus on professional growth and his religious values, which emphasize modesty. He is not married and has no children, with no records of prior marriages or family expansions.
Some reports from August 2025 suggest he may be dating Dani Meneses, a Miami based model and global real estate advisor. However, this remains speculative and unverified by Ekitike himself. Earlier sources emphasize his single status, with no public girlfriend or dating rumors prior to his high profile move to Liverpool in July 2025.
The French striker has stated that he is currently single and focused on his football career.
Salary
When Ekitike signed for Liverpool in July 2025, reports about his salary varied significantly. According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Ekitike is set to receive a salary worth up to €15 million per year gross, which equates to roughly £250,000 per week. This figure includes performance related bonuses.
However, other sources suggest his base salary is closer to £200,000 per week, with the potential to earn up to £250,000 per week when bonuses are included. This would give him an annual base salary of approximately £10.4 million, with the total package rising to £13 million per year if all performance targets are met.
Some reports indicate his wages could be even lower, around £215,000 per week, which would still represent a substantial salary but would be more in line with Liverpool’s pay structure for players of his age and experience. This would be similar to recent signings like Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister, and Cody Gakpo.
Regardless of the exact figure, Ekitike’s salary at Liverpool represents a massive increase from his earnings at Frankfurt. During his time at Eintracht, his salary was approximately €3.5 million per season gross. At PSG, he was reportedly earning around €600,000 per month during his loan spell.
The reported salary of £250,000 per week would make him Liverpool’s third highest paid player behind Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. However, many fans and experts have questioned whether Liverpool would pay such high wages to a player who is still relatively unproven at the very highest level.
