{{short description|Surinamese footballer (born 1994)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Dimitrie Apai | fullname = Dimitrie Apai<ref name="us.soccerway.com">{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/dimitrie-yekini-apai/136990/|title=Suriname - D. Apai - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=us.soccerway.com|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref> | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|7|19|df=yes}}<ref name="us.soccerway.com">{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/dimitrie-yekini-apai/136990/|title=Suriname - D. Apai - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=us.soccerway.com|access-date=2019-11-19}}</ref> | birth_place = Paramaribo, Suriname<ref name="national">{{Cite web|url=https://nationalfootballteams.com/player/54154/Dimitri_Apai.html|title=Apai, Dimitri|website=nationalfootballteams|access-date=2020-06-13}}</ref> | height = 1.74 m<ref name="national"/> | position = Forward | currentclub = Transvaal | clubnumber = 14 | clubs1 = Transvaal | clubs2 = W Connection | clubs3 = Transvaal | years1 = 2012–2014 | years2 = 2014–2021 | years3 = 2021– | caps1 = | caps2 = 50 | caps3 = | goals1 = | goals2 = 31 | goals3 = | nationalteam1 = Suriname | nationalyears1 = 2013– | nationalcaps1 = 30 | nationalgoals1 = 5 | nationalteam-update = 05:45, 26 November 2022 (UTC) }}
'''Dimitrie Apai''' (born 19 July 1994) is a Surinamese footballer who plays as a forward for S.V. Transvaal and the Suriname national football team.
==Club career== ===Transvaal=== Apai began his career with S.V. Transvaal of Suriname's semi-professional Hoofdklasse. In late 2013, Apai was invited for a trial with W Connection F.C. of Trinidad and Tobago's TT Pro League after an impressive showing during 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying in which Apai scored three goals in three matches during the group stage including two against Trinidad and Tobago.<ref>{{cite web|title=Apai naar Trinidad, Rijssel mogelijk naar Amerika|url=http://www.natiosuriname.com/2013/01/apai-naar-trinidad-rijssel-mogelijk.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219040255/http://www.natiosuriname.com/2013/01/apai-naar-trinidad-rijssel-mogelijk.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=19 February 2014|publisher=Natio Suriname|accessdate=13 February 2014}}</ref> Following a trial which saw him score four goals in two matches, it was announced on 30 January 2014 that W Connection purchased the player from Transvaal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Apai naar Trinidad, Rijssel op proef in Amerika|url=http://www.natiosuriname.com/2014/01/apai-naar-trinidad-rijssel-op-proef-in.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222151832/http://www.natiosuriname.com/2014/01/apai-naar-trinidad-rijssel-op-proef-in.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 February 2014|publisher=Natio Suriname|accessdate=13 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="W Connection adds six">{{cite web|title=W Connection adds six new players|url=https://guardian.co.tt/sport/2014-01-29/w-connection-adds-six-new-players|publisher=TT Guardian|accessdate=13 February 2014}}</ref> By signing a contract with W Connection, Apai became only the second fully professional player representing Suriname at that time, along with Stefano Rijssel who also played for the Trinidadian club for two years.<ref name="Apai werkt succesvolle">{{cite web|title=Dimitrie Apai werkt succesvolle stage af|url=http://www.natiosuriname.com/2013/01/dimitrie-apai-werkt-succesvolle-stage-af.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202174840/http://www.natiosuriname.com/2013/01/dimitrie-apai-werkt-succesvolle-stage-af.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2 February 2014|publisher=Natio Suriname|accessdate=13 February 2014}}</ref>
===W Connection=== Apai made his professional debut on 24 January 2014 against North East Stars.<ref name=profdebuut>{{cite web|last=Balsemhof|first=Marinio|title=Dimitrie Apai kent succesvol profdebuut|url=http://www.dwtonline.com/laatste-nieuws/2014/01/26/dimitrie-apai-kent-succesvol-profdebuut/|publisher=dwtonline.com|accessdate=13 February 2014|language=Dutch}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club coming on as a substitute and scoring the stoppage time equalizer against Central FC on 11 February 2014.<ref name="Apai rescues Connection">{{cite web|title=Apai rescues Connection in Central derby|url=http://www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,190638.html|publisher=Trinidad and Tobago Newsday|accessdate=13 February 2014}}</ref> Apai has played in 3 CCL matches of the 2016 season against Deportivo Saprissa and two against Santos Laguna. On 19 January 2016, Apai scored the fourth and fifth goal for Connection in a 7–1 win. His first international goal for W Connection was in the 2016 CFU Club Championship where he scored in the 67th minute against CS Moulien. On 11 March 2016, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Point Fortin Civic. He scored two more goals for Connection in a 3–0 win vs St. Ann's Rangers on 17 May 2016 in the seasons last match. On July, Apai said in a local Surinamese interview that he will not return to Suriname at his young age, stating he wants to become a professional player whether it is in Europe or elsewhere. He was a starter in the first match against UNAM in the 2017 CCL and assisted Jamal Charles into scoring the second goal of the match for Connection. He was a starter once again in the first match against Honduras Progreso and also giving an assist. On 25 October, he scored his first goal of the new season against Point Fortin Civic that ended 7–0 for WCO. On 14 January 2017, Apai scored two goals and gave one assist in the match against Defence Force, three days later, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against St. Ann's Rangers for W Connection. Apai was named player of the month December for the season of 2016–2017, In which he scored four goals in four matches.<ref name="Wendy's top performers">{{cite web |title=Toussaint, Jorsling and Apai are Wendy's top performers |url=https://www.ttproleague.com/index.php/tt-pro-league-news/domestics-news-2014/2530-toussaint-jorsling-and-apai-are-wendy-s-top-performers |publisher=TT Pro League |accessdate=5 August 2019}}</ref> In December 2017, Apai was named Footballer of the Year in Suriname by VSJS.
===Europe=== After leaving W Connection in summer 2019, Apai went on trial with Beerschot of the Belgian First Division B.<ref name="profcontract">{{cite web |title=Comvalius tekent profcontract bij AS Trenčín |url=https://smesport.com/binnenland/voetbal/item/19028-comvalius-tekent-profcontract-bij-as-trenč%C3%ADn |publisher=SME Sport |accessdate=2 August 2019 |language=Dutch}}</ref> While in Europe he took part in a training camp with the national team in preparation for upcoming 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League B matches. He appeared in a match against Telstar<ref name="Telstar">{{cite web |title=Telstar en Suriname Spelen Gelijk in Feestduel |url=http://www.sctelstar.nl/nieuws/telstar-en-suriname-spelen-gelijk-in-feestduel/ |publisher=SC Telstar |accessdate=15 August 2019 |language=Dutch}}</ref> and, after scoring Suriname's game-winning goal in its final friendly against RKSV Leonidas, he was invited to trial with Mosta of the Maltese Premier League.<ref name="Buitenlandse interesse">{{cite web |last1=Samwel |first1=Diederik |title=Buitenlandse interesse voor Surinaamse internationals |url=https://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/54028 |publisher=Star Nieuws |accessdate=15 August 2019 |language=Dutch}}</ref>
===Return to Transvaal=== After six years with W Connection, Apai returned to Suriname signing for Transvaal.
==International career== Apai has represented Suriname at the U17, U20, and U23 levels.<ref name="Soccerway Profile">{{cite web|title=Soccerway Profile|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/dimitrie-yekini-apai/136990/matches/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=13 February 2014}}</ref> Apai made his senior international debut in the 2013 ABCS Tournament against Bonaire. He scored his first international goal in the match, the second goal of a 2–0 victory.<ref name="CFD Profile">{{cite web|title=CFD Profile|url=https://caribbeanfootballdatabase.com/suriname/players/dimitrieapai.html|publisher=Caribbean Football Database|access-date=13 February 2014}}</ref>
In June 2021, Apai was named to the Suriname squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Surinamese Football Federation|user=OfficialSVB1920|number=1408477656702664710|title=The 23 That Will Represent Us at the CONCACAF Gold Cup|date=25 June 2021|access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>
===International goals=== :''Scores and results list Surinames's goal tally first.''<ref name="CFD Profile"/> {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition |- | 1. || 14 November 2013 || Ergilio Hato Stadium, Willemstad, Curaçao || {{fb|BOE}} || {{center|2–0}} || {{center|2–0}} || 2013 ABCS Tournament |- | 2. || 6 January 2017 || Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago || {{fb|HAI}} || {{center|1–4}} || {{center|2–4}} || 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification |- | 3. || rowspan=2 | 15 November 2019 || rowspan=2 | André Kamperveen Stadion, Paramaribo, Suriname || rowspan=2 | {{fb|DMA}} || {{center|1–0}} || rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" | 4–0 || rowspan=2 | 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League B |- | 4. || {{center|4–0}} |- | colspan="12"|<small>Last updated 15 November 2019</small> |}
==Honours==
'''W Connection''' * TT Pro League: 2018 * FA Trophy: 2017 * First Citizens Cup 2015, 2017 * Charity Shield: 2018
'''Individual''' * First Citizens Cup MVP: 2017 * First Citizens Cup Topscorer: 2017 * First Citizens Cup Best Forward: 2017 * Surinamese Footballer of the Year (2): 2016, 2017
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php/tt-pro-league-fixtures-2013/pro-league-2013-2014/schedule-esults-2013-2014/player/19-2013-14-digicel-pro-league/10/648 TT Pro League Profile] *{{NFT player|54154}} *{{soccerway|dimitrie-yekini-apai/136990}} *[https://caribbeanfootballdatabase.com/suriname/players/dimitrieapai.html Caribbean Football Database profile]
{{Suriname squad 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup}} {{Surinamese Footballer of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Apai, Dimitrie}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Paramaribo Category:Surinamese men's footballers Category:21st-century Surinamese sportsmen Category:Surinamese expatriate men's footballers Category:Suriname men's international footballers Category:SVB Eerste Divisie players Category:TT Pro League players Category:S.V. Transvaal players Category:W Connection F.C. players Category:2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Trinidad and Tobago Category:Surinamese expatriate sportspeople in Trinidad and Tobago Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Suriname men's youth international footballers Category:Suriname men's under-20 international footballers