Darlton Digha

Darlton Digha
Personal information
Full name Darlton Digha[1]
Date of birth (1998-04-09) April 9, 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Bamenda, Cameroon
Height 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Maharlika Taguig
Number 7
Youth career
2006–2010 CEFOJET Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2023 Adamson University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024 United City 11 (2)
2024– Maharlika Taguig 3 (1)
Managerial career
2023– Adamson University
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 09:51, November 3, 2024 (UTC)

Darlton Digha (born 9 April 1998) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as both an attacking midfielder and winger for Philippines Football League club Maharlika Taguig.[1][2] He is also the current head coach of the Adamson University football team.

Personal life

Digha was born in the city of Bamenda in northwestern Cameroon. He played youth football for CEFOJET Academy before leaving for the Philippines to play college football.[2][3]

Career

Adamson University

After moving to the Philippines, Digha was initially supposed to play college football for the varsity team of De La Salle University,[4] but transferred in 2018 to the Adamson Soaring Falcons.[5][6] Though his college career would be hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, he played football for Adamson for 5 years before graduating in July 2024.[7]

United City

Before the onset of the 2024 Philippines Football League season, Digha was snapped up by United City, one of the league's former champions.[1][2] He made his debut on the second matchday in a 3–1 win over Philippine Army and scored two goals in the short 14-game season. He scored his first in a 7–0 rout of Don Bosco Garelli United,[8] scoring another in a dominant 10–0 win over Manila Montet.[9] During a heated match against Dynamic Herb Cebu, he was shown a red card.[10]

Maharlika Taguig

After the conclusion of the 2024 season, United City announced their withdrawal once more from the league while citing financial difficulties as the reason, leaving Digha without a club.[11] He then signed with Maharlika Taguig also of the PFL, under former United City coach Marian Mihail. He scored in his third match for the club in a 4–1 loss to Kaya–Iloilo.[12]

Coaching career

In 2023, Digha participated in the 'C' Diploma Course held by the Philippine Football Federation in Carmona, Cavite, alongside other PFL players.[13] During the duration of the course, he was also one of the coaches of the youth team of Kaya FC.

Before Digha graduated from Adamson in 2023, he was approached by Father Aldrin Suan, the sporting director of Adamson, regarding the coaching job of the football team, which he accepted, seeing it as a "good opportunity to give back to the community".[7] That 2023, he led Adamson in their first-ever participation in the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara,[14] and won his first-ever coaching trophy as Adamson won the 2023 Ang Liga in November,[15][16] where he was sent off during the final.[17] His coaching duties would continue during UAAP Season 87.[18][19]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Manila Digger FC - Team Roster". Philippines Football League. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "United City FC Announces Signing of Darlton Digha". United City. March 5, 2024. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "Liste Des étudiants Non Enrollés" (PDF). University of Buea. December 14, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  4. ^ Guerrero, Bob (September 27, 2018). "Adamson Falcons soar in WFL Elite". bobguerreroph. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  5. ^ "UAAP 85 MFB: Vin Dela Cruz strikes at the death vs ADU, lifts DLSU to Final Four". Tiebreaker Times. April 27, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "UAAP 85 MFB: Anton Lopez brace propels Ateneo past Adamson, gains solo second". Tiebreaker Times. March 30, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  7. ^ a b del Carmen, Lorenzo (February 20, 2024). "Darlton Digha gives back to Adamson by being 'caretaker' of men's football team". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  8. ^ "United City FC 7-0 DB Garelli United FC: Third straight win for former champs". Philippines Football League. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  9. ^ "United City FC 10-0 Manila Montet FC: United City in dominant form". Philippines Football League. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  10. ^ Aznar, Edri (May 26, 2024). "Cebu FC beats United City in PFL". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  11. ^ Suing, Ivan (September 20, 2024). "Aguilas ramp up recruitment". Daily Tribune. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  12. ^ "Report: Kaya FC-Iloilo 4-1 Maharlika Taguig". Philippines Football League. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  13. ^ "PFF holds 'C' Diploma in Carmona". Philippine Football Federation. June 6, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  14. ^ "Copa Paulino Alcantara marks opening weekend with massive turnout". Philippines Football League. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  15. ^ "Adamson University crowned Ang Liga Season 19 champion". BusinessWorld. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  16. ^ "Falcon Booters secures first-ever title after conquering Ang Liga Season 19". Adamson University. November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  17. ^ Maguddayao, Merck (November 4, 2023). "ZERO TO HERO: Magical Adamson U bags Ang Liga crown". fullcourtfresh.com. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  18. ^ "Falcon booters draw Ateneo in S86 football opener". Adamson University. February 21, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  19. ^ "Empleo strikes late as Adamson earns draw vs. UE". ABS-CBN News. April 7, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.