Sone Aluko facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sone Aluko

Aluko with Aberdeen in 2010
Personal information
Full name	Omatsone Folarin Aluko
Date of birth	(1989-02-19) 19 February 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth	Hounslow, England
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing position	Forward, winger
Club information
Current club	Ipswich Town (coach)
Youth career
1997–2007	Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2007–2008	Birmingham City	0	(0)
2007–2008	→ Aberdeen (loan)	20	(3)
2008	→ Blackpool (loan)	1	(0)
2008–2011	Aberdeen	82	(7)
2011–2012	Rangers	21	(12)
2012–2016	Hull City	90	(13)
2016–2017	Fulham	49	(8)
2017–2021	Reading	93	(6)
2019	→ Beijing Renhe (loan)	16	(3)
2021–2024	Ipswich Town	46	(3)
Total		417	(55)
National team
2004–2005	England U16	4	(0)
2005–2006	England U17	3	(0)
2006	England U18	1	(0)
2007–2008	England U19	3	(0)
2009	Nigeria U20	3	(0)
2011	Nigeria U23	1	(0)
2009–2015	Nigeria	7	(2)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 March 2024 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Sone Aluko (born 19 February 1989) is a football coach and former player. He played as a forward or winger. Sone is currently a first team coach at Ipswich Town.

Sone started his football journey at Birmingham City's youth academy. He made his first team debut in 2007. He then played for Aberdeen and Blackpool on loan. In 2008, he joined Aberdeen permanently.

After leaving Aberdeen in 2011, Sone signed with Rangers. He scored 12 goals in 21 games during the 2011–12 season. He then moved to Hull City in England. He played over 100 games for Hull. He helped them get promoted to the Premier League in 2013. He also played in the 2014 FA Cup Final.

Later, Sone played for Fulham and Reading. He made over 100 appearances for Reading. He also spent some time on loan at Beijing Renhe in China. In 2021, he joined Ipswich Town. He retired from playing football in May 2024.

Sone was born in England and played for England's youth teams. He played for the under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-19 teams. Later, he chose to play for Nigeria. He played for Nigeria's under-20 and under-23 teams. He made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2009.

Sone's older sister, Eniola Aluko, is also a former professional footballer. She played for Juventus and the England women's national team.

Club Career Highlights

Sone Aluko's career began in England and took him to Scotland and China. He played for several clubs, showing his skills as a forward and winger.

Starting at Birmingham City

Sone was born in Hounslow, London. He grew up in Birmingham. He joined Birmingham City's youth system when he was eight. He was a substitute for a Premier League match in 2005. His first team debut was on 28 August 2007. It was a League Cup game against Hereford United.

Loan to Aberdeen

In August 2007, Sone joined Aberdeen in Scotland on loan. He played his first game for Aberdeen in a UEFA Cup match. He scored his first goal for them against Dundee United. His loan was extended, and he scored a goal against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup. He scored 4 goals in 31 games during this loan.

Loan to Blackpool

Sone then joined Blackpool on a short loan in August 2008. He made two appearances for them before returning to Birmingham City.

Returning to Aberdeen Permanently

Sone Aluko playing for Aberdeen in 2009

On 1 September 2008, Sone signed a permanent deal with Aberdeen for £50,000. He quickly became an important player. He won the SPL Young Player of the Month award in November 2008. He played 37 games and scored 4 goals in his first full season.

He continued to play a key role in the 2009–10 season. He scored 3 goals in 26 games. In the 2010–11 season, he scored twice in 33 games. He left Aberdeen in July 2011 when his contract ended.

Time at Rangers

After leaving Aberdeen, Sone had trials with Juventus and Rangers. He signed with Rangers on 24 November 2011. He made his debut a few days later. Sone scored his first goal for Rangers in January. He scored a hat-trick against St Johnstone on the last day of the season. He scored 12 goals in 23 games, which was his best goal-scoring season so far.

Playing for Hull City

Sone Aluko playing for Hull City in 2012

On 25 July 2012, Sone signed a two-year contract with Hull City. He made his debut in August. He scored his first goal for Hull in September against Bolton Wanderers. He scored 8 goals in 24 games during the 2012–13 season. He helped Hull get promoted to the Premier League.

Premier League and FA Cup

Sone made his Premier League debut in August 2013. He scored a "stunning volley" against Newcastle United. He signed a new contract with Hull in January 2014. He played as a substitute in the 2014 FA Cup Final against Arsenal.

In the 2014–15 season, he scored his first goal in the UEFA Europa League. He also scored in the Premier League against Everton. Hull was relegated that season. In the 2015–16 season, he helped Hull get promoted back to the Premier League. He left the club in June 2016.

Moving to Fulham

Sone joined Fulham on 8 July 2016. He made his debut in a win against Newcastle United. He scored his first goal for Fulham in August. He played 50 games and scored 9 goals in his first season. He helped Fulham reach the play-offs, but they lost to Reading.

Time at Reading

On 29 August 2017, Sone joined Reading. He signed a four-year deal. He made his debut in September. He scored his first goal for Reading in October. He scored 3 goals in 40 games in his first season.

Loan to Beijing Renhe

In February 2019, Sone went on loan to Beijing Renhe in China. He played 16 games in the Chinese Super League and scored 3 goals.

Back at Reading

After his loan, Sone returned to Reading. He played less often in the 2019–20 season. In the 2020–21 season, he played more regularly. He scored twice in 36 games. He left Reading when his contract ended.

Joining Ipswich Town

Sone joined Ipswich Town on 6 August 2021. He scored his first goals for Ipswich in October. He quickly became an important player. He was the most senior player in the team. The manager praised him for helping younger players. Sone extended his contract until 2023. He helped Ipswich get promoted to the Premier League. Sone announced his retirement from playing football on 6 May 2024.

International Career

Sone Aluko played for England's youth teams before choosing to represent Nigeria at the senior level.

England Youth Teams

Sone played for England at various youth levels. This included the under-16, under-17, and under-18 teams. He made his debut for the England under-19 team in September 2007.

Playing for Nigeria

Sone was part of the Nigeria under-20 team for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He played in games against Venezuela, Spain, and Tahiti.

He was called up to the Nigerian national team in May 2009. He made his full international debut in a friendly game against the Republic of Ireland.

Sone was included in Nigeria's team for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. However, he had to withdraw due to an injury. Nigeria went on to win the tournament. He scored his first goals for Nigeria in November 2014. These goals came in a 2–2 draw against South Africa.

Personal Life

Sone Aluko comes from a family with strong ties to football and public service.

Sone's older sister is Eniola Aluko. She is a former footballer who played 102 times for the England women's national team. She played in two World Cups and the London 2012 Olympics. His father, Gbenga Aluko, was a MP in Nigeria.

Career Statistics

Sone Aluko played many games and scored goals throughout his career.

Club Appearances and Goals

International Appearances and Goals

International Goals for Nigeria

Sone scored two goals for Nigeria in his international career.

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref
1.	19 November 2014	Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria	6	South Africa	1–2	2–2	2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2.					2–2

Honours and Awards

Sone Aluko achieved several honours during his playing career.

Hull City

• Football League Championship runner-up: 2012–13 (promoted to Premier League)
• FA Cup runner-up: 2013–14

Ipswich Town

• EFL League One runner-up: 2022–23 (promoted to Championship)
• EFL Championship runner-up: 2023–24 (promoted to Premier League)

Individual Awards

• Scottish Premier League Young Player of the Month: November 2008
• EFL Championship Player of the Month: November 2012, October 2016

Images for kids

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  Sone Aluko with Aberdeen in 2010

See also

In Spanish: Sone Aluko para niños