*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 May 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 November 2020
Eric Ayuk Mbu (born February 17, 1997) is a Cameroonian footballer who plays as a winger.
Club career
Youth
Ayuk played football while attending Lycée Bilingue de Yaoundé in his native Cameroon. In June 2012, he moved to Thailand as part of a program to introduce young Camaroonian players to a professional environment. Joining Buriram United of Thai Premier League and playing with its academy and reserve teams for the rest of 2012 and 2013.
Ayuk was signed by Philadelphia Union on March 3, 2015, after a successful pre-season trial.[2] He was signed on a free transfer.[3] He scored his first goal in a 4–1 loss to Columbus Crew on April 25, 2015.[4]
Bethlehem Steel FC
Ayuk was loaned to Philadelphia UnionUSL affiliate, Bethlehem Steel FC for the 2016 season.[5] Ayuk would be a regular starter for Steel FC and scored the first home goal in the team's history against FC Cincinnati.[6] he would go on to make 17 appearances and scored three goals during the season.
Jönköpings Södra IF
On April 4, it was announced that Ayuk had joined Swedish first division outfit Jönköpings Södra IF on loan for the rest of the 2017 Allsvenskan Season.[7] He would make 12 league appearances and one cup appearance in Sweden, scoring one goal.[8]
Return to Philadelphia
In December 2017, it was announced that the Union exercised Ayuk's 2018 contract option.[8]
Ankaraspor
On 28 August 2018, Ayuk was transferred TFF First League side Ankaraspor (named "Osmanlıspor" at the time of transfer) for no fee but included a 15-percent sell-on fee for the Union.[9][10] Ayuk became a regular starter for Ankaraspor, starting 27 of 29 appearances and scoring 5 goals during his first season.[11]
In April 2015, Ayuk was called into the Cameroon U-23 team for the 2015 CAF U-23 Championship but declined the call up to focus on his club career with the Philadelphia Union.[citation needed]
In May 2016, Ayuk was called up for the Cameroon U-20 team for their 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations qualifier versus Zimbabwe.[13]