Mitch Apau
Personal information
Date of birth (1990-04-27) 27 April 1990
Place of birth Amsterdam, Netherlands
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Right-back
Team information
Current team
 Telstar
Number 3
Youth career
2000–2002 OSDO
2002–2003 Zeeburgia
2003–2005 AZ
2005–2007 Zeeburgia
2007–2009 Ajax
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2013 Veendam 106 (2)
2013–2014 RKC Waalwijk 29 (0)
2014–2017 Westerlo 87 (4)
2017–2018 Olimpija Ljubljana 36 (1)
2018–2020 Slovan Bratislava 37 (3)
2021 Patro Eisden 0 (0)
2021 → Slaven Belupo (loan) 5 (0)
2021–2022 Emmen 19 (0)
2022– Telstar 58 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:10, 24 December 2023 (UTC)

Mitch Apau (born 27 April 1990) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Eerste Divisie club Telstar.

Apau joined Veendam in 2009. He signed for RKC Waalwijk after Veendam's bankruptcy in 2013, before moving abroad for the first time the following year, signing with Westerlo. After three years as a key player for the club, he joined Olimpija Ljubljana in 2017, winning the Slovenian PrvaLiga and Slovenian Football Cup. One season later he signed with Slovan Bratislava, winning the Slovak Super Liga in 2019 and 2020, as well as appearing in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Short stints with Patro Eisden and Slaven Belupo followed in 2021, before returning to Dutch football where he reached promotion to the Eredivisie by winning the Eerste Divisie title with Emmen. He joined Telstar in 2022.

Career

Early years

Apau began his youth career at OSDO, Zeeburgia and AZ, before joining Ajax's under-19 team in 2007.[2]

In 2009, he made a move to Veendam, where he made his professional debut in the second-tier Eerste Divisie on 7 August 2009 in a convincing 6–1 away victory against HFC Haarlem where Apau played the full game.[3] In April 2011, his contract was extended until 2014.[4] He scored his first goal on 18 September 2011, helping his team to a 3–0 home win over Emmen.[5]

In March 2013, Veendam went bankrupt, making Apau a free agent.[6] Apau then spent some time training with Groningen, before signing with RKC Waalwijk on 31 May 2013.[7][8][9] With RKC, he faced relegation from the top-tier Eredivisie on 18 May 2014, following a loss on aggregate against Excelsior in the relegation play-offs.[10]

Westerlo

On 6 June 2014, Apau signed with newly promoted Belgian Pro League club Westerlo, coached by compatriate Dennis van Wijk.[11] There, he was reunited with Evander Sno, whom he had played alongside at RKC.[12]

He impressed at Westerlo, and grew into one of the premier defenders in the league.[13][14] In March 2015, Premier League club Chelsea, coached by José Mourinho, was rumoured to be interested in signing Apau,[13] but in July 2016 he extended his contract with Westerlo by a year.[15]

Olimpija Ljubljana

In July 2017, Apau moved to Slovenian PrvaLiga club Olimpija Ljubljana.[16] He made his league debut for Ljubljana on 16 July 2017, the first matchday of the season, replacing Aris Zarifović in the 84th minute of a 3–1 home victory against Celje.[17] He scored his first and only goal for Olimpija on 31 March 2018, in a 1–1 draw against Maribor.[18] Throughout the season, he scored the one goal in 36 league appearances for Olimpija, adding four assists to his tally, as the club won the domestic double.[19][20]

Slovan Bratislava

In June 2018, Apau joined Fortuna Liga club Slovan Bratislava on a three-year deal.[21][22] He was given the number two jersey, and joined the team in training camp in the Czech Republic.[23]

He made his debut for the club in the first qualifying round of the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League, starting in the 4–2 away victory against Moldovan club Milsami Orhei.[24] He also appeared in the following qualifiers, in which Slovan knocked out Maltese side Balzan on aggregate,[25] before his team were eliminated by Austrian club Rapid Wien in the third qualifying round.[26]

He made his league debut for the club on 22 July 2018, the opening matchday of the season, playing the full nintety minutes in a 4–1 away victory over ViOn Zlaté Moravce.[27] On 19 August, he scored his first goal for Slovan against MFK Ružomberok after beautiful hold-up play by Vukan Savićević, which gave his team the go-ahead lead in the 76th minute of an eventual 2–0 win.[28] He scored his second league goal of the season in a 3–3 draw against AS Trenčín.[29] He scored his third of the season on 8 December 2018 in a game against MŠK Žilina, lifting Slovan to a 4–0 lead in the 42nd minute, as the match would go on to end 5–2.[30] He won league title with Slovan on 14 April 2019, six games before the end of the season, after a 3–0 win against Žilina.[31][32]

Apau was a starter for Slovan in the first leg of the first qualifying round of the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League against Montenegrin champions Sutjeska Nikšić. Slovan were eliminated on aggregate, and Apau made appearances in all subsequent qualifying rounds of the Europa League, helping his side to wins over Feronikeli 74, Dundalk and PAOK to qualify for the group stage.[33][34][35] However, he did not make any appearances in the group stage, as he was not included in the final Europa League roster.[36] He was part of the team defending the league title from the previous season with Slovan.[37] In the same season, he also triumphed in the Slovak Cup with the club to secure a double.[38][39]

Apau's contract was terminated by mutual consent on 12 October 2020, having only made one league appearance for Slovan that season.[40]

Patro Eisden and Slaven Belupo

On 22 December 2020, it was announced that Apau had signed with Patro Eisden, starting from 1 January 2021.[41]

He spent one month in Belgium without making an appearance, before being sent on a loan deal for the remainder of the season to Croatian club Slaven Belupo in February 2021.[42] He made his debut for the club on 19 February, replacing Franjo Prce in the 77th minute of a 2–2 league draw against HNK Šibenik.[43] Apau made seven total appearances for Slaven, before returning to Patro.[44]

Emmen

On 30 July 2021, Apau joined Eerste Divisie club Emmen on a one-year deal, with an option for an additional season.[45] He made his debut for the club on 13 August – the second matchday of the season – starting in a 1–0 home loss to Eindhoven before being replaced by Luciano Carty in the 83rd minute.[46] Apau made 21 total appearances in the league and KNVB Cup for Emmen that season, contributing to the club winning the league title and returning to the top-tier Eredivisie.[44][47]

Telstar

Apau moved to Eerste Divisie club Telstar in July 2022 after his contract with Emmen expired.[48] He made his debut for the club on the first matchday of the season, starting in Telstar's 1–1 away draw against Jong Ajax.[49] Afterwards, he remained a key player for the rest of the season, playing all 40 possible games as a starter and helping Telstar to ninth place in the table – their best season since 2018 and their second best since 2005.[44][50]

Personal life

Born in the Netherlands, Apau is of Ghanaian descent.[51]

Career statistics

As of match played 22 December 2023[44]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[lower-alpha 1] Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Veendam 2009–10 Eerste Divisie 23010——240
2010–11 Eerste Divisie 28020—2[lower-alpha 2]0320
2011–12 Eerste Divisie 33210——342
2012–13 Eerste Divisie 22010——230
Total 106250—201132
RKC Waalwijk 2013–14 Eredivisie 29010—3[lower-alpha 2]0330
Westerlo 2014–15 Belgian Pro League 34210——352
2015–16 Belgian Pro League 30220——322
2016–17 Belgian Pro League 23010——242
Total 87440——914
Olimpija Ljubljana 2017–18 Slovenian PrvaLiga 36150——411
Slovan Bratislava 2018–19 Slovak Super Liga 253006[lower-alpha 3]0—313
2019–20 Slovak Super Liga 110102[lower-alpha 4]0—140
2020–21 Slovak Super Liga 1000——10
Total 3731070—453
Patro Eisden 2020–21 Belgian National Division 1 00———00
Slaven Belupo (loan) 2020–21 Croatian Football League 5020——71
Emmen 2021–22 Eerste Divisie 19020——210
Telstar 2022–23 Eerste Divisie 38120——401
2023–24 Eerste Divisie 20110——211
Total 58230——612
Career total 37712230705041212
  1. ↑ Includes KNVB Cup, Belgian Cup, Slovenian Football Cup, Slovak Cup
  2. 1 2 Appearances in Eredivisie promotion/relegation playoffs
  3. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ↑ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Olimpija Ljubljana

Slovan Bratislava

Emmen

References

  1. ↑ "M. Apau – Profiel". Voetbal International. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  2. ↑ Wens, Nils (17 February 2020). "Hoe zou het zijn met... Mitch Apau". Voetbalkrant (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "Haarlem vs. Veendam – 7 August 2009". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "Mitch Apau verlengt contract met BV Veendam". RTV Noord (in Dutch). 13 April 2011. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  5. ↑ "Veendam vs. Emmen – 18 September 2011". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  6. ↑ "Dood suikeroom betekende ondergang SC Veendam" [Death sugar daddy meant demise SC Veendam] (in Dutch). RTV Noord. 30 August 2013. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  7. ↑ "Stage van Apau en Lambooij verlengd". FC Groningen (in Dutch). 26 April 2013. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "FC Groningen eerste keus voor Apau". RTV Noord (in Dutch). 8 April 2013. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "Apau gaat spelen bij RKC Waalwijk". RTV Noord (in Dutch). 31 May 2013. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "RKC degradeert, Excelsior naar eredivisie". RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 18 May 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Van Wijk haalt ook Apau van RKC naar België". FCUpdate.nl (in Dutch). 6 June 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  12. ↑ Mersbergen, Chris van (6 June 2014). "Ook Mitch Apau van RKC naar Westerlo". BN De Stem (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Mitch Apau: via De Langeleegte naar Mourinho's Chelsea?". RTV Noord (in Dutch). 31 March 2015. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  14. ↑ "Westerlo-back staat voor terugkeer naar Nederland". Elfvoetbal.nl (in Dutch). 4 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  15. ↑ "Mitch Apau kiest voor verlengd verblijf in Westerlo". Gazet van Antwerpen (in Flemish). 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  16. ↑ "OFFICIEEL: Transfervrije Apau heeft nieuwe club gevonden". Voetbalprimeur (in Flemish). 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  17. ↑ "Olimpija vs. Celje – 16 July 2017". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  18. ↑ "Olimpija vs. Maribor – 31 March 2018". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  19. 1 2 "KLUBSKA TEKMOVANJA – POKAL SLOVENIJE 17/18". Football Association of Slovenia. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  20. 1 2 "TEKMOVANJE – PRVA LIGA TELEKOM SLOVENIJE 17/18". Football Association of Slovenia. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  21. ↑ "Slovan signs Mitch Apau!". ŠK Slovan Bratislava (Press release). 23 June 2018. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  22. ↑ "Slovan angažoval holandského obrancu Apaua". ProFutbal.sk (in Slovak). 21 June 2018. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018.
  23. ↑ "Na ihrisku odvediem maximum pre úspech tímu". ŠK Slovan Bratislava (in Slovak). 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  24. ↑ "Milsami vs. Slovan Bratislava – 12 July 2018". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  25. ↑ "ŠK Slovan Bratislava – Balzan FC 3:1 (1:0)". ŠK Slovan Bratislava (in Slovak). Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  26. ↑ Guman, Dušan (16 August 2018). "Slovan Bratislava vysoko podlehl Rapidu a s EL se loučí". EuroFotbal.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  27. ↑ Guman, Dušan (22 July 2018). "FC Zlaté Moravce – Slovan Bratislava 1:4". EuroFotbal.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  28. ↑ Hudačko, Ľubomír (19 August 2018). "MFK Ružomberok – Slovan Bratislava 0:2". EuroFotbal.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  29. ↑ Guman, Dušan (26 August 2018). "Slovan Bratislava – AS Trenčín 3:3". EuroFotbal.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  30. ↑ Hudačko, Ľubomír (8 December 2018). "Slovan Bratislava rozstřílel Žilinu a stále zůstává neporažen". EuroFotbal.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  31. 1 2 "MAJSTRI!". ŠK Slovan Bratislava (in Slovak). 14 April 2019. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  32. ↑ "Slovan Bratislava spečatil zisk rekordného deviateho majstrovského titulu!". ProFutbal.sk (in Slovak). 14 April 2019. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019.
  33. ↑ "Reportáž ze zápasu KF Feronikeli – Slovan Bratislava: statistiky, reportáž". EuroFotbal.cz (in Czech). 30 July 2019. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  34. ↑ "Reportáž ze zápasu Dundalk FC – Slovan Bratislava: statistiky, reportáž". EuroFotbal.cz (in Czech). 13 August 2019. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  35. ↑ "Rival Analysis: Slovan Bratislava profile". PAOK FC. 30 September 2021. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  36. ↑ "UEFA potvrdila európsku súpisku belasých". ŠK Slovan Bratislava (in Slovak). 6 September 2019. Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  37. 1 2 "Belasí získali 26. majstrovský titul!". ŠK Slovan Bratislava (in Slovak). 20 June 2020. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  38. 1 2 "DOUBLE!". ŠK Slovan Bratislava (in Slovak). 8 July 2020. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  39. ↑ "FOTO: Slovan má double, pohárové finále s Ružomberkom rozhodol Ožbolt". Správy (in Slovak). 8 July 2020. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020.
  40. ↑ "Slovan sa dohodol na ukončení spolupráce s Mitchom Apauom". ŠK Slovan Bratislava (in Slovak). 12 October 2020. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  41. ↑ "Mitch Apau vanaf januari bij Patro". Patro Eisden (Press release) (in Dutch). 22 December 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  42. ↑ Dedić, Marko (13 February 2021). "Slaven Belupo potvrdio novo pojačanje iz belgijskog trećeligaša, stigao je Mitch Apau". ePodravina.hr (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  43. ↑ "Slaven Koprivnica vs. Šibenik – 19 February 2021". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  44. 1 2 3 4 Mitch Apau at Soccerway
  45. ↑ "FC Emmen contracteert Mitch Apau". FC Emmen (in Dutch). 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022.
  46. ↑ "Emmen vs. Eindhoven – 13 August 2021". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  47. 1 2 Meijers, Tom; Dijkhuizen, Niels (29 April 2022). "FC Emmen ondanks nederlaag naar historisch kampioenschap". RTV Drenthe (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  48. ↑ Lambers, Milo (20 July 2022). "Mike Snoei kan nieuwe aanwinsten inpassen bij Telstar. Al zijn die nog niet fit: 'Voor die jongens is de voorbereiding vorige week begonnen'". IJmuider Courant (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  49. ↑ "Jong Ajax deelt de punten met Telstar: Conceição luistert debuut op met goal". Voetbalnieuws.nl (in Dutch). 8 August 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  50. ↑ Dalsem, Kees van (19 May 2023). "Het bier blijft bij de 2–1 wel in de glazen. Telstar sluit seizoen na laatste – gestaakte – competitiewedstrijd af met een feestje". Noordhollands Dagblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  51. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Dutch-born Ghanaian defender Mitch Apau joins Slovan Bratislava on three-year deal". GhanaSoccerNet. 11 July 2018. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
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