Djoully Nzoko (born 11 October 2007) is a Finnish professional football player who plays as a winger for Veikkausliiga club Inter Turku.

Djoully Nzoko
Personal information
Date of birth (2007-10-11) 11 October 2007 (age 16)
Place of birth Finland
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
Inter Turku
Number 3
Youth career
0000–2016 TPS
2017–2023 Inter Turku
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Inter Turku II 7 (0)
2024– Inter Turku 5 (2)
International career
2022–2023 Finland U16 10 (3)
2023– Finland U17 14 (0)
2023– Finland U18 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 June 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 March 2024

Youth career

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Nzoko started football with Turun Palloseura (TPS), and played in the youth sector of Inter Turku since he was 8 years old. On 28 September 2021, he was among the five youth players to sign an academy contract with the club.[1][2]

Club career

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On 29 November 2023, at the age of 16, Nzoko signed his first professional contract with Inter Turku, on a three-year deal.[3][4][5] He had made his senior debut with the club's reserve team in the fourth-tier Kolmonen earlier in 2022. Nzoko scored his first senior goal for Inter Turku first team on 11 February 2024, in a 3–1 win against Ekenäs IF (EIF) in Finnish League Cup.[6] They went on to win the league cup, after beating Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) in the final on penalties.

Nzoko missed the start of the 2024 season due to a minor injury, but eventually made his debut in Veikkausliiga on 31 May 2024 when aged 16, in a 3–1 home win against Haka.[7] He scored his first Veikkausliiga goal on 7 June 2024, in a 2–0 away win against FC Lahti.[8]

International career

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Nzoko has been a regular in the youth national teams, having represented Finland at under-16, under-17 and under-18 age levels.

Nzoko was part of Finland U16 squad that won the friendly tournament Baltic Cup in July 2023,[9] scoring three goals in three matches.

On 4 October 2023, Nzoko was named in the Finland U17 squad in the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification tournament. In the tournament Finland drew with Ukraine and Germany 2–2 and 1–1, respectively, before winning Liechtenstein 3–0, placing 2nd in the group and advancing to the Elite round.[10][11]

On 31 October 2023, Nzoko was named in the Finland U18 squad for two friendly matches against Austria U18.[12]

Personal life

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Born and raised in Finland, Nzoko is of Congolese descent. His cousin Elohim Nzoko is also a footballer for Inter Turku U19 team.

Career statistics

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As of 28 June 2024.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Inter Turku II 2022 Kolmonen 1 0 1 0
2023 Kolmonen 0 0 0 0
2024 Kakkonen 6 0 6 0
Total 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Inter Turku 2024 Veikkausliiga 5 2 3 0 5[b] 1 13 3
Career total 12 2 3 0 0 0 5 1 20 3
  1. ^ Includes Suomen Cup
  2. ^ Includes Finnish League Cup

Honours

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Inter Turku

References

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