Akim Matvejev
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Akim Matvejev | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 29 June 2006 Tallinn, Estonia | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Prop | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
As of 19 September 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Akim Matvejev (born 29 June 2006) is an Estonian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop forward for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.
Background
[edit]Matvejev was born in Tallinn, Estonia. He moved with his family to England in 2012.[3]
He studied at Bruntcliffe Academy and Leeds College of Building.[3]
Matvejev played junior rugby league for Drighlington ARLFC after he took up the sport aged 12. He joined the Castleford Tigers development system at scholarship level.[3]
Playing career
[edit]In April 2024, Matvejev signed a two-year contract with the Castleford Tigers alongside nine academy teammates.[4] He was first named in the 21-man squad to face Leigh on 1 August and assigned squad number 39, although did not feature.[5][6] On 13 September, Matvejev made his Super League debut for Castleford against St Helens as an interchange.[7][8] In doing so, he became the first Estonian to play in the Super League.[9][10] He made his first senior start the following week against Huddersfield.[11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Player Summary: Akim Matvejev". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ "Akim Matvejev - Playing Career". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Heppenstall, Ross (14 September 2024). "NextGen: The Estonia-born Castleford Tigers talent who made Super League history". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ "Tigers announce contracts for 10 academy players". Castleford Tigers. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ Smith, Peter (31 July 2024). "Castleford Tigers 'support' ex-Leeds Rhinos ace's Australia move ambition says coach". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Squad to take on the Leopards". Castleford Tigers. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ Harber, Tony (16 September 2024). "Castleford Tigers boss Craig Lingard excited by development of teenage trio". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Lingard reveals Matvejev debut". BBC Radio Leeds. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ Walker, Callum (16 September 2024). "Castleford Tigers make unique piece of history in away defeat at St Helens". TotalRL. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ Harby, Chris (13 September 2024). "Saints close in on play-off spot with Cas victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ Mitchell, Ollie (20 September 2024). "'Soft' Castleford Tigers have desire questioned by coach". Serious About Rugby League. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Giants end Super League season with Tigers rout". BBC Sport. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.