Full Name: Paul Kpaka
Date of Birth: 28 July 1985
Place of Birth: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing Position: Striker
Early Life and Youth Career
- Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone; later moved to the Netherlands as a youth.
- Developed his football skills at the youth academy of FC Den Bosch in the Netherlands.
Professional Club Career
| Years | Club | Appearances (League) | Goals (League) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–2004 | FC Den Bosch (Netherlands) | 81 | 28 |
| 2004–2005 | RSC Anderlecht (Belgium) | 0* | 0 |
| 2005–2006 | AFC Bournemouth (England) – loan | 30 | 8 |
| 2006–2008 | AFC Bournemouth (England) | 56 | 12 |
| 2008–2009 | Denizlispor (Turkey) | 8 | 0 |
| 2009–2010 | Sivasspor (Turkey) | 2 | 0 |
| 2010–2011 | SC Veendam (Netherlands) | 12 | 1 |
| 2011–2012 | FC Lisse (Netherlands) | 9 | 0 |
* Although contracted to Anderlecht, Kpaka did not make a first‑team league appearance for the club.
International Career
- Represented the Sierra Leone national team (the Leone Stars) from 2002 to 2008.
- Earned 12 caps and scored 4 goals for his country.
- Participated in African Cup of Nations qualifying matches and World Cup qualifiers.
Style of Play
- Known for physical strength, aerial ability, and hold‑up play.
- Utilized as a target man who could retain the ball under pressure and create opportunities for teammates.
Post‑Playing Activities
- Retired from professional football in the early 2010s.
- Has been involved in football development programs in Sierra Leone, focusing on youth talent identification and coaching education.
- Occasionally appears as a pundit on local sports broadcasts and contributes to charitable initiatives related to sports and education.
Notable Achievements
- Top Scorer in the Dutch Eerste Divisie (second tier) for the 2003–04 season while at FC Den Bosch, with 18 league goals.
- Played a key role in Bournemouth’s promotion push during the 2006–07 season, scoring multiple decisive goals.
Personal Life
- Holds dual citizenship (Sierra Leonean and Dutch), reflecting his upbringing and professional career in Europe.
- Maintains ties to his hometown of Freetown and is recognized as one of the few Sierra Leonean players to have played in the English Football League.
