Joseph Efford

Joseph "Joe" Efford (born August 29, 1996) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left winger for Belgian side Waasland-Beveren.

Joe Efford
Personal information
Full name Joseph Isiah Efford
Date of birth (1996-08-29) August 29, 1996
Place of birth Georgia, United States
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position(s) Left winger
Club information
Current team
 Waasland-Beveren
Number 11
Youth career
2013−2014 Dacula Falcons
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014 Botoșani 0 (0)
2014–2016 Mallorca 1 (0)
2017–2020 Ergotelis 70 (29)
2020– Waasland-Beveren 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of August 9, 2020

Club career

Early career

Efford graduated from Dacula High School in 2014. After he finished freshman orientation at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he passed up a college soccer scholarship and opted for a professional career in Europe.[1] He went through several trials in Romania,[1][2] before landing a contract with Liga I side FC Botoșani in June 2014.[3] His contract, however, was terminated in July 2014.[4]

He left Romania to undergo a new series of tryouts in Spain, eventually ending up training with Segunda División side RCD Mallorca. After convincing Los Bermellones of his worth during two-week trial, he signed a contract with the club in September 2014.[1] However, problems with his visa kept him effectively out of the team for 7 months before he was eventually cleared to play.[5]

Ergotelis

In September 2017, Efford went on trial with Greek Football League side Ergotelis and earned a contract.[6] He received the no. 9 jersey and scored on his debut on October 25, 2017, in a 2−4 home loss to Superleague club Xanthi in the Greek Cup.[7] On March 5, 2018, in his twelfth league appearance for the club, Efford scored his first two goals in a 0−3 away win against AO Chania−Kissamikos.[7][8] He also provided the assist for teammate Hugo Cuypers' goal in the 13th minute.[8] Efford followed this with an early goal against Panachaiki on March 8.[9] He scored a second brace on April 1, 2018, in a 5−1 victory over Panegialios.[10]

Efford quickly became the focal point of Ergotelis' attack in the 2018–19 season, finishing as top-scorer for the club with 11 goals. During the following season, Efford scored his first professional hat trick on January 13, 2020, and moved up to second place on Ergotelis's list of all-time top scorers in professional competitions with 31 goals.

Waasland-Beveren

After Efford's contract with Ergotelis expired in the summer of 2020, Efford signed a three-year contract with Belgian First Division side Waasland-Beveren on July 20.[11]

Career statistics
As of matches played August 9, 2020
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Mallorca 2014–15 Segunda División 1000——10
2015–16 0000——00
Total 1000——10
Ergotelis 2017–18 Football League 24721——268
2018–19 271182——3513
2019–20 Superleague 2 191120——2111
Total 7029123——8232
Waasland-Beveren 2020–21 Belgian First Division A 1000——10
Total 1000——10
Career total 7229123——8432

References
  1. "Dacula grad Joe Efford earns spot with Spanish pro team RCD Mallorca". Gwinnett Daily Post. July 29, 2015.
  2. "Botoșani a adus doi brazilieni naturalizați în Olanda! Doi americani sunt în probe" (in Romanian). digisport.ro. June 22, 2014.
  3. "Un olandez şi doi americani au semnat cu FC Botoşani" (in Romanian). btonline.ro. June 23, 2014.
  4. "FC Botosani a mai renuntat la trei jucatori" (in Romanian). romaniansoccer.ro. July 22, 2014.
  5. "Temporada 2014-15 RCD MALLORCA" (in Spanish). futbolbasecatala.ca.
  6. "Έκλεισε το ρόστερ του Εργοτέλη" (in Greek). patris.gr. September 11, 2017.
  7. ""Ξεμπούκωσε" η φανέλα με το 9" (in Greek). Football League News. March 6, 2018.
  8. "Εμφατικό πέρασμα από τα Χανιά ο Εργοτέλης, 3-0 τον ΑΟΧ Κισσαμικό" (in Greek). sport24.gr. March 5, 2018.
  9. "Στο 93' ο Εργοτέλης, 2-1 την Παναχαϊκή" (in Greek). sport24.gr. March 8, 2018.
  10. "Αναφορά αγώνα ΕΡΓΟΤΕΛΗΣ − ΠΑΝΑΙΓΙΑΛΕΙΟΣ" (in Greek). footballleaguenews.gr. April 1, 2018.
  11. "Welkom op de Freethiel, Joe Efford!". www.waasland-beveren.be (in Dutch). Waasland-Beveren. July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.

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