William Troost-Ekong’s Stellar Debut Season in the Saudi Pro League
William Troost-Ekong, the Nigerian international defender, concluded his inaugural season in the Saudi Pro League with a remarkable achievement, leading the league in shot interceptions. Playing for Al-Kholood, Troost-Ekong showcased his defensive prowess throughout the 2024/25 season, accumulating 32 shot interceptions according to Sofascore, a prominent football statistics platform. This statistic underscores his crucial role as a defensive bulwark for his team, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier defender in the highly competitive Saudi league.
Troost-Ekong’s unwavering commitment to his team was evident in his consistent presence on the field. He participated in all 32 matches for Al-Kholood, starting each game and averaging an impressive 89 minutes of playing time per appearance, culminating in a total of 2,854 minutes on the pitch. This remarkable level of participation highlights his resilience, fitness, and importance to the team’s defensive structure. Despite Al-Kholood finishing ninth in the league standings with 40 points from 34 matches, Troost-Ekong’s individual performances shone brightly, providing a consistent and reliable presence in a backline that managed four clean sheets amidst overall defensive inconsistencies throughout the season.
A closer examination of Troost-Ekong’s statistical contributions further emphasizes his impact on the field. He averaged 0.7 interceptions and 1.0 tackles per game, demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposition attacks and regain possession. His passing accuracy of 83% underscores his composure and effectiveness in distributing the ball from the back. He averaged 24.3 accurate passes per game, with 17.2 of those passes occurring in his own half at a remarkably high success rate of 92%. Additionally, he completed 55% of his long balls and 50% of his chip passes, showcasing his range of passing abilities. Further emphasizing his versatility, he also contributed offensively, creating one big chance and providing one assist throughout the season.
Despite his absence from the Nigeria Unity Cup squad in London, Troost-Ekong’s importance to the Super Eagles remains undeniable. He was selected to captain the national team in their international friendly against Russia, scheduled for June 6th at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. The 21-man squad for this fixture includes other notable defenders such as Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders like Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Victor Boniface and Sadiq Umar. This selection underscores his continued leadership and value within the national team setup.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Troost-Ekong has embraced a significant role as a global leader in climate action. He was recently appointed as a Sport4Land Champion by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This prestigious role places him at the forefront of a global campaign aimed at raising awareness and driving action against land degradation and desertification. As a Sport4Land Champion, Troost-Ekong will leverage the immense popularity and global reach of football to promote environmental sustainability and inspire action among fans and the wider public.
Troost-Ekong’s commitment to this cause will be highlighted through a charity football match scheduled for June 22nd in Lagos, coinciding with Desertification and Drought Day. This event serves as a platform to mobilize football fans and the general public towards environmental sustainability, utilizing the universal appeal of the sport to drive positive change. This initiative further underscores Troost-Ekong’s dedication to using his platform to address critical global issues and contribute to a more sustainable future. His actions demonstrate that he is not only a leader on the football field but also a champion for environmental responsibility.
