Adedapo Paul Oluwaseun Awokoya-Mebude (born 29 July 2001) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Arbroath.
Early life Mebude was born in London, growing up in Peckham, and is of Nigerian descent. His family moved to Scotland when he was 10 years old, living in Govan, and he joined the Rangers youth system after attending an open Soccer Schools event organised by the club.Dapo Mebude determined to grab his Rangers chance with the help of striking rivals Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe, Evening Times, 17 September 2019Dapo Mebude reveals the dangling Rangers carrot he turned down as Watford star talks up Ibrox exit call, Scott McDermott, 3 October 2021 He was later a participant in the SFA's Performance School programme at Holyrood Secondary School,Performance Schools Roll Of Honour, Scottish Football Association and also attended Rangers' youth partnership school Boclair Academy.
Club career Mebude turned professional with Rangers in May 2017. Mebude signed a new contract with the club in December 2018, keeping him at Ibrox until 2021. In February 2019 he was recalled from international duty with the Scotland under-19s to join up with the Rangers first team, due to injury problems. Mebude debuted for the first-team on 19 May 2019, in a 2–1 away defeat versus Kilmarnock in the league.
On 21 January 2021, Mebude joined Scottish Championship club Queen of the South on loan until the end of the season. He scored his first professional goal, in a 4–2 league win at Gayfield Park versus Arbroath on 6 March 2021.
In June 2021, Mebude ran out his contract with Rangers to become a free agent. A month later in July, he was signed by Watford on a two-year contract with the option of a further two-years. He suffered a back injury at the end of July 2021, and was hospitalised.
He moved on loan to AFC Wimbledon in August 2021.Dapo: It was the 'perfect' option to sign for the Dons, AFC Wimbledon, 4 August 2021 He scored his first goal for Wimbledon in a 3–3 draw against Bolton Wanderers on 14 August 2021.
In September 2022 he signed for Belgian club KV Oostende.
Mebude trained with Livingston in July 2024. In October 2024, he joined Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic on a one-year deal. Mebude was loaned out to Bulgarian side PFC Septemvri Sofia from February 2025 until the end of the season, and was released by Dunfermline at the end of his contract.
In October 2025 he signed for Arbroath.
International career Mebude has represented Scotland at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 youth levels, and made his first under-21 appearance in October 2021 against Denmark.
Style of play In November 2018, he was described by the Daily Record as a "diminutive striker" who was "highly-rated within Ibrox" and that he was "known for his quick pace as well as his obvious finishing ability and is a handful for defenders with his trickery". In a September 2019 interview, Mebude stated "When I play as a winger I try and be direct and score goals like Raheem Sterling who is fast, direct and a similar build to me."
Personal life In February 2021 Mebude was one of five Rangers players fined by Scottish police "for attending an illegal gathering of ten people in a flat" in breach of lockdown rules during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
Mebude was hospitalised in January 2024 following a car crash. He was unconscious for 5 days. He has a daughter.
His younger brother Dire is also a footballer.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRangers U202019–20———5252Rangers2020–21Scottish Premiership0000000000Queen of the South (loan)2020–21Scottish Championship11210——122Watford2021–22Premier League000000—00AFC Wimbledon (loan)2021–22League One252203020322KV Oostende2022–23Belgian Pro League5010——602023–24Challenger Pro League2000——20Total7010——80Dunfermline Athletic 2024–25Scottish Championship140210020181Septemvri Sofia (loan)2024–25Bulgarian First League00———00Arbroath2025–26Scottish Championship4000000040Career total574613092757
References
External links