Dapo Mebude

Dapo Mebude
Mebude with Scotland U19 in 2019
Personal information
Full name Adedapo Paul Oluwaseun Awokoya-Mebude
Date of birth (2001-07-29) 29 July 2001 (age 25)
Place of birth London, England
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Airdrieonians
Youth career
2011–2019 Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2021 Rangers 1 (0)
2021 → Queen of the South (loan) 11 (2)
2021–2022 Watford 0 (0)
2021–2022 → AFC Wimbledon (loan) 25 (2)
2022–2024 KV Oostende 7 (0)
2024–2025 Dunfermline Athletic 14 (0)
2025 → Septemvri Sofia (loan) 0 (0)
2025–2026 Arbroath 18 (1)
2026– Airdrieonians 8 (0)
International career
Scotland U16
2017–2018 Scotland U17 10 (2)
2018 Scotland U18 2 (0)
2018–2020 Scotland U19 13 (4)
2021–2022 Scotland U21 5 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:51, 14 October 2026

Adedapo Paul Oluwaseun Awokoya-Mebude (born 29 July 2001) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Scottish League One side Aidrieonians.

Early life

Mebude was born in London, growing up in Peckham, and is of Nigerian descent. His family moved to Scotland when he was 10 years old, living in Govan, and he joined the Rangers youth system after attending an open Soccer Schools event organised by the club. He was later a participant in the SFA's Performance School programme at Holyrood Secondary School, and also attended Rangers' youth partnership school Boclair Academy.

Club career

Mebude turned professional with Rangers in May 2017. Mebude signed a new contract with the club in December 2018, keeping him at Ibrox until 2021. In February 2019 he was recalled from international duty with the Scotland under-19s to join up with the Rangers first team, due to injury problems. Mebude debuted for the first-team on 19 May 2019, in a 2–1 away defeat versus Kilmarnock in the league.

On 21 January 2021, Mebude joined Scottish Championship club Queen of the South on loan until the end of the season. He scored his first professional goal, in a 4–2 league win at Gayfield Park versus Arbroath on 6 March 2021.

In June 2021, Mebude ran out his contract with Rangers to become a free agent. A month later in July, he was signed by Watford on a two-year contract with the option of a further two-years. He suffered a back injury at the end of July 2021, and was hospitalised.

He moved on loan to AFC Wimbledon in August 2021. He scored his first goal for Wimbledon in a 3–3 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 14 August 2021.

In September 2022 he signed for Belgian club KV Oostende.

Mebude trained with Livingston in July 2024. In October 2024, he joined Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic on a one-year deal. Mebude was loaned out to Bulgarian side PFC Septemvri Sofia from February 2025 until the end of the season, and was released by Dunfermline at the end of his contract.

In October 2025 he signed for Arbroath.

On 25 June 2026, Mebude signed for Scottish League One side Airdrieonians.

International career

Mebude has represented Scotland at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 youth levels, and made his first under-21 appearance in October 2021 against Denmark.

Style of play

In November 2018, he was described by the Daily Record as a "diminutive striker" who was "highly-rated within Ibrox" and that he was "known for his lightening [sic] quick pace as well as his obvious finishing ability and is a handful for defenders with his trickery". In a September 2019 interview, Mebude stated "When I play as a winger I try and be direct and score goals like Raheem Sterling who is fast, direct and a similar build to me."

Personal life

In February 2021 Mebude was one of five Rangers players fined by Scottish police "for attending an illegal gathering of ten people in a flat" in breach of lockdown rules during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.

Mebude was hospitalised in January 2024 following a car crash. He was unconscious for 5 days. He has a daughter.

His younger brother Dire is also a footballer.

Career statistics

As of match played 15 November 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rangers U20 2019–20 ———5252
Rangers 2020–21 Scottish Premiership 0000000000
Queen of the South (loan) 2020–21 Scottish Championship 11210——122
Watford 2021–22 Premier League 000000—00
AFC Wimbledon (loan) 2021–22 League One 252203020322
KV Oostende 2022–23 Belgian Pro League 5010——60
2023–24 Challenger Pro League 2000——20
Total 7010——80
Dunfermline Athletic 2024–25 Scottish Championship 140210020181
Septemvri Sofia (loan) 2024–25 Bulgarian First League 00———00
Arbroath 2025–26 Scottish Championship 4000000040
Career total 574613092757
  1. ↑ Includes Scottish Cup, FA Cup and Bulgarian Cup
  2. ↑ Includes Scottish League Cup and EFL Cup
  3. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Scottish Challenge Cup
  4. ↑ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ↑ "2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  2. 1 2 Dapo Mebude at the Scottish Football Association
  3. ↑ Dapo Mebude at Soccerway. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  4. 1 2 Mark McDougall (7 November 2018). "Who is Dapo Mebude? Rangers fans rave as teen hits treble for reserves". Daily Record. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  5. 1 2 Dapo: It was the 'perfect' option to sign for the Dons, AFC Wimbledon, 4 August 2021
  6. ↑ "Nigerian Superkid Signs Professional Contract With Scottish Powerhouse Rangers". All Nigeria Soccer. 30 May 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Dunfermline's Dapo Mebude: From Rangers dream under Steven Gerrard to car crash scare in Belgium". BBC Sport. 27 December 2024.
  8. ↑ Dapo Mebude determined to grab his Rangers chance with the help of striking rivals Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe, Evening Times, 17 September 2019
  9. 1 2 Dapo Mebude reveals the dangling Rangers carrot he turned down as Watford star talks up Ibrox exit call, Scott McDermott, 3 October 2021
  10. ↑ Performance Schools Roll Of Honour, Scottish Football Association
  11. 1 2 3 "Dapo Mebude Signs New Contract". Rangers F.C. 15 December 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Rangers starlets Serge Atakayi and Dapo Mebude profiled as academy prospects add to their growing reputation". Daily Record. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  13. 1 2 "Rangers facing striker shortage against St Johnstone, says Gerrard". BBC Sport. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  14. ↑ "Kilmarnock 2–1 Rangers". BBC Sport. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  15. ↑ "Dapo Mebude". Queen of the South F.C. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "QoS : Report – Arbroath 6.3.21". www.qosfc.com. 6 March 2021.
  17. ↑ "Pacy attacker looks set to leave Rangers for nothing this summer as contract runs down". Rangers News. 20 May 2021.
  18. ↑ "Official: Mebude Signs For Golden Boys". www.watfordfc.com. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  19. ↑ "Watford sign Etebo, King and Mebude". BBC Sport. 9 July 2021.
  20. ↑ "Injury Update: Dapo Mebude". www.watfordfc.com. 28 July 2021.
  21. ↑ "Mebude out of hospital after back injury". Watford Observer. 28 July 2021.
  22. ↑ "Wimbledon sign Watford's Mebude on loan". BBC Sport. 4 August 2021.
  23. ↑ "Wimbledon 3–3 Bolton". BBC. 14 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  24. ↑ "Official: Mebude Makes Belgium Move". www.watfordfc.com.
  25. ↑ "Ex-Rangers starlet pictured training with Livingston". thenational.scot. 5 July 2024.
  26. ↑ "Dapo Mebude signs for Dunfermline". dafc.co.uk. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  27. ↑ "Dunfermline's Dapo Mebude joins Bulgaria's Septemvri Sofia on loan". Dunfermline Press. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  28. ↑ "Dapo Mebude departs Dunfermline Athletic on loan as new owners' multi-club interests highlighted". 25 February 2025.
  29. ↑ "Squad Update – Lewis McCann & Dapo Mebude". Dunfermline Press. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  30. ↑ "13K views | Reel by Arbroath Football Club - Official" – via www.facebook.com.
  31. ↑ "Diamond Dapo joins the club". Airdrieonians FC. 25 June 2026. Retrieved 14 October 2026.
  32. ↑ Alasdair Mackenzie (27 March 2018). "Rangers youngster Dapo Mebude seals win for Scotland Under-17s against Germany". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  33. ↑ Cusick, Aiden (10 September 2019). "Rangers winger Dapo Mebude likens himself to £49m Premier League star". HITC.
  34. ↑ Lindsay, Matthew (20 February 2021). "Rangers midfielder Bongani Zungu set to depart Ibrox this summer following Covid-19 lockdown breach". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  35. ↑ "Dapo Mebude: Scotland U21 player in hospital after car crash in Belgium". BBC Sport. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  36. ↑ "Bristol City sign 'mystery attacker' with loan addition of ex-Manchester City and Rangers talent". BristolPost. 1 February 2024.
  37. ↑ "Games played by Dapo Mebude in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  38. 1 2 "Games played by Dapo Mebude in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  39. 1 2 "Games played by Dapo Mebude in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  40. 1 2 3 Dapo Mebude at Soccerway. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Dapo Mebude in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Dapo Mebude in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 November 2025.