Forward 18
Cody Gakpo signed for Liverpool in January 2023 after completing a move from the Dutch side PSV. Over time, he has developed into the most dependable attacker who can play from the left wing and forward position.
Gakpo was born on May 7, 1999, in Eindhoven and was raised in the district of Stratum. He has an African lineage, as his father was born in Togo and also played football at an amateur level, while his Dutch mother was a talented Rugby player.
His parents’ influence pushed him into the path of sport; at just the age of seven (7), he joined the PSV Eindhoven youth academy, which developed him into the player he is.
Gakpo made his professional debut in the Eerste Divisie for Jong PSV in the 2016/2017 season, shortly after being drafted from the U19 team. Eventually, he made just two appearances for the side, but it still impacted his playing style, as he scored seven (7) goals and delivered five (5) assists in just 13 games for the U19 team the next season.
However, in the 2017/2018 season, he scored seven (7) goals in just 12 games for Jong PSV, a performance that guaranteed his move to the first team. He made his first team debut for PSV on February 25, 2018, coming as a substitute in the 90th minute of the 3:1 victory over Feyenoord.
The 2018/2019 season was more significant for the Dutchman, as he started the first half of the season as an unused substitute. He eventually scored his first professional hat trick against Go Ahead Eagles on December 3 2018, for Jong PSV.
Gakpo scored his first league goal on February 3 2019, against Fortuna Sittard and also gave an assist in the same game. At the end of the 2018/2019 season, he made 14 Eredivisie appearances, scoring just 1 goal and 1 assist.
The 2019/2020 season was an amazing one for the Dutchman; he scored eight (8) goals and delivered eight (8) assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.
In the first match of the 2020/2021 season, he scored his first brace in the opening game of the league against Groningen in a 3:1 defeat. Gakpo went on to score more goals for the club, including another brace in a UEFA Europa League qualifier game against NŠ Mura.
He finished the season with 11 goals in 29 appearances and also scored the winning goal in the 2:1 victory in the KNVB Cup final against Ajax.
Gakpo became the first Netherlands player to make his international debut at a European Championship since Martien Vreijsen in 1980, after his call-up to the senior squad for UEFA Euro 2020.
Liverpool signed Cody Gakpo on the 1st of January, 2023, immediately after the transfer window opened; however, talks and negotiations had been ongoing earlier. He signed a 5-year contract, taking the fee to about £37 million, with add ons potentially increasing the total transfer package to around £50 million.
He made his debut for the club in the FA Cup third round against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 2:2 draw; a month later, he scored his first goal for Liverpool in a Merseyside derby 2:0 victory against Everton.
Gakpo won the Carabao Cup with Liverpool in his first season, a clear indication of his influence on the squad; he also finished the competition as the second-highest goal scorer with four (4) goals, falling behind Morgan Rodgers, who had five (5) goals in the competition.
In the 2024/2025 season under the management of Arne Slot, he had more playing time, as the manager saw him as a threat when playing from the left wing. He helped Liverpool win the 2024/2025 English Premier League title. He recorded 18 goals and 7 assists in all competitions.
Liverpool FC offered Cody Gakpo a new long term contract in the summer of 2025, a contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2030.
PROFILE
Full Name: Cody Mathès Gakpo
Date of Birth: May 7, 1999
Nationality: Dutch
Height: 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position: Forward, Left Winger, Centre Forward
Preferred Foot: Right
Current Club: Liverpool FC
International Team: Netherlands national football team
CLUB TROPHIES
| Honours | Year |
|---|---|
| Carabao Cup | 2024 |
| Premier League | 2024/2025 |
