Hugo Ekitike is a devout Muslim. He grew up with Islamic traditions and prays regularly, often invoking Allah’s name in social media posts and on the pitch.
Quick Profile: Hugo Ekitike
| Full Name | Hugo Timothée Ekitike |
| Date of Birth | June 20, 2002 (age 23) |
| Nationality | French (Cameroonian father, French mother) |
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Religion | Islam (practicing Muslim) |
What religion is Hugo Ekitike?
Hugo Ekitike practices Islam. He was raised in a Muslim household and has said that prayer has always been part of his life.
He has often shared “Alhamdulillah” (Arabic for “praise be to God”) in captions, and multiple videos have surfaced of him making dua (supplication) before matches. In one notable instance, he stood alone on the field with hands raised in prayer just before the second half of a France vs Azerbaijan game. This gesture similar to those of well-known Muslim players like Arda Güler or Lamine Yamal underscored his faith. While Ekitike himself has not made an official statement about his religion, the evidence of his daily prayers and on-field rituals strongly shows that he is a practicing Muslim.
Early Life
Hugo Ekitike was born on June 20, 2002, in Reims, France, to a Cameroonian father and a French mother. He began playing football locally in Reims and joined the youth academy of Stade de Reims in 2013. He progressed through the Reims system and signed his first professional contract in July 2020. Standing 1.90 m tall, he was often noted for his physical presence as a striker even from a young age. Details of his family life are private, but it is known that his parents brought him up with Muslim cultural practices, including daily prayers.
Career Highlights
Ekitike made his senior debut for Reims in Ligue 1 on October 17, 2020, in a 3–1 loss to Lorient. He scored his first goals for the club in a Ligue 1 match on September 26, 2021, coming off the bench to net twice in a 3–1 win over Nantes. In January 2022, Reims received several offers for the young striker, but he turned down a move to Newcastle United, with club president Jean-Pierre Caillot stating there was “still a piece of history to write together”.
In late January 2021, Ekitike was loaned to Danish club Vejle Boldklub for the remainder of the season to gain experience. He scored 3 goals in 11 appearances in the Danish Superliga during this loan spell.
For the 2022–23 season, Ekitike joined Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy. He made his PSG debut in August 2022 and scored his first goal for the club in a 5–0 win against Auxerre on November 13, 2022. By the end of the 2022–23 season he had contributed four goals and four assists, helping PSG to win the Ligue 1 title. In June 2023 PSG finalized the transfer as a permanent deal. For the 2023–24 season PSG won Ligue 1 again, giving Ekitike his second consecutive league title even though he made limited appearances.
In February 2024, Ekitike moved on loan to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, who had the option to buy. He scored his first goal for Frankfurt on April 19, 2024, in a 3–1 win over Augsburg. By the end of that spring season, Frankfurt exercised the buy option and signed him permanently for about €16.5 million. In the 2024–25 season, Ekitike scored 15 goals in 33 league games, helping Frankfurt to a 3rd-place finish and qualification for the next Champions League. His performance earned him a place in the 2024–25 Bundesliga Team of the Season.
In July 2025, Premier League club Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike on a long-term contract, reportedly for an initial fee around £69–80 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring in each of his first three Premier League games for Liverpool, a feat not achieved by a new Liverpool player since Daniel Sturridge 12 years earlier. As a tribute to his former club, he did not celebrate a Champions League goal against Frankfurt, saying he had “so much respect” for Eintracht who had “made [him] the player [he is] now”.
International Career
Although born and raised in France, Ekitike was eligible to play for Cameroon through his father. He shares that background with Bryan Mbeumo, another French-born player of Cameroonian descent. Ekitike represented France at youth levels, including the U20 and U21 teams. In late 2025 he earned his first call-up to the senior France squad and debuted against Ukraine. Despite interest from Cameroon’s federation (which actively courted him in 2022 and 2023), Ekitike chose to remain with France. He publicly stated that playing for Les Bleus “means everything” to him, effectively turning down the opportunity to switch allegiance.
Personal Life
Hugo Ekitike tends to keep a low profile off the field. He has mentioned little about his romantic life or personal relationships in public. Outside football, he is known to be devoutly religious and spends time on prayer and reflection. He has described prayer as “a moment of spirituality, a moment alone with Allah,” emphasizing its importance in his routine.
Awards and Honors
- Ligue 1 (PSG): 2022–23, 2023–24
- Maurice Revello Tournament (France U20): 2022
- Individual: Bundesliga Team of the Season 2024–25
Ekitike won two French league titles with Paris Saint-Germain (2022–23 and 2023–24) and was part of France’s U20 squad that won the Maurice Revello Tournament in 2022. Individually, his breakout season at Frankfurt earned him a place in the Bundesliga’s Team of the Season for 2024–25.
Earnings
Ekitike signed a long-term (six-year) contract with Liverpool in July 2025. Reports indicate the deal runs until 2031 and carries a base salary of about €12.2 million per season. This makes him one of Liverpool’s highest-paid players. His transfer fees have also been large, Frankfurt paid about €16.5 million for him in 2024, and Liverpool’s fee (including add-ons) was reported in the £69–80 million range.
