Joel Asoro

Joel Joshghene Asoro (born 27 April 1999) is a Swedish footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for Sunderland in the Premier League. He has also represented Sweden at under-21 level.

Youth career

Asoro started his career in his local club IFK Haninge. When he was eleven years old he moved to IF Brommapojkarna, well-known throughout Sweden for its youth academy which has produced players such as John Guidetti, Albin Ekdal, Simon Tibbling and Ludwig Augustinsson.

Sunderland

Born in Sweden, Asoro signed for English side Sunderland in 2015. On 21 August 2016, a year after joining the club, Asoro made his professional debut in the league against Middlesbrough. He came on as an 81st-minute substitute for Duncan Watmore. Asoro became Sunderland’s and Sweden's youngest Premier League player. On 24 August 2016, Asoro was given his first Sunderland start under manager David Moyes in a 1–0 victory over League One side Shrewsbury Town in an EFL Cup second round tie.

On 5 September 2016 Asoro made his debut for Sweden U21 starting the game against Spain in 1-1 draw. Swedish press reported that Paris Saint-Germain, Milan, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Villarreal, Valencia and Lyon all scouted Asoro in his debut. The following day Asoro was praised by Arsenal scout Bobby Bennett and Newcastle United Chief Scout Graham Carr.

On 6 October 2016 Asoro scored his first goal for Sweden U21 when he scored the last goal in the 3-0 victory away against Estonia.

As of 18 January 2017