Hal Robson-Kanu
Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu (born 21 May 1989) is a former professional footballer who represented Wales internationally as a forward and is now an entrepreneur in the health and wellness sector.[1][2] Born in London to a Welsh grandmother, he began his youth career at Arsenal before joining Reading in 2004, where he made over 200 appearances across all competitions after turning professional in 2007.[1] His club career included loans to Southend United and Swindon Town, before signing permanently with West Bromwich Albion in 2016, where he played until his retirement in July 2021, amassing 94 Premier League appearances and 14 goals.[3] Robson-Kanu's international breakthrough came at UEFA Euro 2016, where he scored three goals in Wales' historic run to the semi-finals, including a memorable Cruyff turn and volley against Belgium in the quarter-finals that earned him the tournament's Goal of the Quarter-finals award.[4][5] He earned 46 caps for Wales from 2010 to 2021, having retired from international duty in August 2018 before returning in 2020, though he was omitted from the Euro 2020 squad. Standing at 1.83 metres (6 ft 0 in), he was known for his versatility as a centre-forward or winger, physical presence, and technical skill despite injury challenges, including two cruciate ligament tears.[1][2] Since retiring from football, Robson-Kanu has focused on business, co-founding The Turmeric Co. in 2018 with his father, Rechi, inspired by a turmeric-based remedy developed in 2006 to aid his injury recovery and enable a pain-free career.[2] As CEO, he has grown the direct-to-consumer health brand to employ over 60 staff, achieve 100% year-on-year growth in 2023, and reach 250,000 customers with its anti-inflammatory supplement products. In July 2025, AG Barr acquired a majority stake in the company for £15 million to support global expansion.[6]Early life
Family background
Thomas Henry Alex Robson-Kanu, known as Hal Robson-Kanu, was born on 21 May 1989 in Acton, a district in West London, England.[7] His mother, Eva, is English with Welsh ancestry, while his father, Rechi Kanu, is a Nigerian lawyer based in London.[8] This mixed heritage—combining English, Welsh, and Nigerian roots—shaped his early identity, providing him with a multifaceted cultural perspective from a young age.[9] Robson-Kanu's eligibility to represent Wales internationally stemmed from his Welsh grandmother on his mother's side, a connection that allowed him to qualify under FIFA's rules for players with grandparental ties to a nation.[10] Although born and raised in England, this familial link to Wales became a pivotal aspect of his personal and sporting narrative, distinguishing him from peers with solely English backgrounds.[11] His parents' support in researching nutritional alternatives for pain relief and recovery foreshadowed his later entrepreneurial pursuits in the wellness industry.[12] This environment, combined with the diverse cultural influences of London's multicultural setting and his blended family dynamics, contributed to a formative period marked by resilience and openness to varied traditions.[9]Youth football development
Robson-Kanu began his organized football journey by joining Arsenal as a schoolboy in 1999 at the age of 10, where he progressed through the club's youth ranks over the next five years.[13][1] Despite showing promise in the academy system, he was released by Arsenal in 2004 at age 15, a setback that prompted him to seek opportunities elsewhere.[1][14] Following his departure from Arsenal, Robson-Kanu joined Reading's academy later in 2004 after a conversation with then-academy manager Brendan Rodgers, who played a key role in his recruitment.[13][15] Shortly after arriving, at just 15 years old, he suffered his first anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, which severely tested his resolve and sidelined him for an extended period.[14][16] Compounding the challenge, he ruptured the ligament in his left knee again just 12 months later while still in Reading's youth setup, resulting in nearly three years of limited play and raising serious doubts about his professional future.[14][17] These injuries nearly derailed his career entirely, but with dedicated rehabilitation, he overcame them to continue developing in the academy.[13] Supported briefly by his family's exploration of natural remedies, including homemade turmeric blends prepared by his father to manage pain and inflammation, Robson-Kanu focused on rebuilding his fitness.[14][12] Post-recovery, he contributed to Reading's under-18 team, demonstrating resilience and skill that led to him signing his first professional contract with the club in the summer of 2007 at age 18.[13] This milestone marked a pivotal step in his youth development, validating his perseverance through adversity under Rodgers' guidance.[13]Club career
Reading (2004–2016)
Robson-Kanu joined Reading's academy in 2004 at the age of 15, having been released by Arsenal, and after recovering from two cruciate ligament injuries that sidelined him for over two years, he signed his first professional contract in July 2007.[13][18] To gain first senior experience, Robson-Kanu was loaned to Southend United for two spells in 2008, making 22 appearances and scoring 5 goals in League One.[19] In January 2009, he moved on loan to Swindon Town until the end of the season, where he recorded 20 appearances and 4 goals in League One.[19][20] Upon returning, Robson-Kanu made his Reading first-team debut as a substitute on 8 August 2009 in a 0–0 Championship draw against Nottingham Forest.[13][21] He featured sporadically in the 2009–10 season with 17 appearances but no goals, before beginning to establish himself the following year.[19] Robson-Kanu's form improved in the 2010–11 Championship season, where he scored 5 goals in 27 appearances, signaling his growing importance to the squad.[19] This momentum carried into 2011–12, his breakthrough campaign, as he made 36 appearances and netted 4 goals while contributing to key victories in Reading's title-winning run that secured promotion to the Premier League.[19][22] In Reading's 2012–13 Premier League return, Robson-Kanu delivered his most prolific spell at the club, scoring 7 goals in 25 appearances despite the team's eventual relegation after finishing 19th.[19] Back in the Championship from 2013 to 2016, Robson-Kanu provided consistent depth across three seasons, appearing in 93 matches and scoring 8 goals as Reading stabilized in mid-table.[19] In total, he recorded 228 appearances and 30 goals for Reading's first team over his senior tenure.[19][13] Versatile as both a forward and winger, Robson-Kanu often operated on the left flank or centrally, offering pace and crossing ability that proved valuable during Reading's cycles of promotion and Premier League survival struggles.[23][17] His contract expired on 1 July 2016, allowing him to depart as a free agent after 12 years with the club.[24]West Bromwich Albion (2016–2021)
Robson-Kanu joined West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer on 31 August 2016, signing an initial two-year contract following his departure from Reading. His performances at UEFA Euro 2016 with Wales had elevated his profile, facilitating the move to the Premier League club. The contract included an option for an additional year, which was later activated.[25] In July 2017, Robson-Kanu extended his deal until 2020, committing to the club amid their mid-table Premier League standing. He featured regularly in the 2016–17 season, making 29 appearances and scoring 5 goals in the league, including his first for West Brom—a spectacular volley in a 2–1 victory over Southampton on 31 December 2016. Another extension followed in October 2019, securing his stay until the end of the 2020–21 season.[26][27][28] West Brom suffered relegation from the Premier League in 2017–18, finishing 20th, with Robson-Kanu contributing 2 goals in 21 league appearances that season. In the subsequent seasons, he demonstrated consistency, with key contributions in the Championship including 10 goals in 39 appearances during the 2019–20 campaign that earned promotion. His role as a versatile forward became integral to the team's promotion push.[29] The 2019–20 season marked Robson-Kanu's most productive period at West Brom, where he scored 10 goals in 39 Championship appearances, sharing the team's top-scoring honors and playing a key role in their runner-up finish, which earned automatic promotion back to the Premier League via the play-off final victory over Fulham. This campaign highlighted his aerial prowess and finishing ability in a competitive second-tier environment. Returning to the Premier League in 2020–21, Robson-Kanu faced significant injury setbacks, including a broken arm and elbow surgery that sidelined him for extended periods. Limited to 19 appearances and 2 goals, his contributions were curtailed as West Brom were relegated once more. The club released him on 27 May 2021 at age 32, ending a five-year spell that saw 154 total appearances and 24 goals.[30][31][32] In 2023, Robson-Kanu publicly offered to come out of retirement and join Wrexham on a free transfer, donating any salary to charity, but the move did not materialize.[33]International career
Youth internationals
Born in Acton, London, England, Robson-Kanu was eligible to represent England at youth international level.[7] He made his debut for the England under-19 team in a friendly against Germany on 14 November 2007, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat.[34] This was followed by a second appearance for the under-19s against Croatia on 5 February 2008, where he started in a 2–0 victory at Swansea's Liberty Stadium, though he did not score in either match.[35] Robson-Kanu earned a single cap for the England under-20 team on 11 August 2009, substituting in during a 5–0 friendly win over Montenegro at The Hawthorns, again without finding the net.[36] By 2010, having concluded his brief England youth career with three caps and no goals overall, Robson-Kanu opted to pursue opportunities with Wales, qualifying through his grandmother's Welsh heritage from Caerphilly.[37][38]Wales senior team
Robson-Kanu made his senior debut for Wales on 23 May 2010 in a friendly match against Croatia, coming on as a substitute in a 0–2 defeat but not scoring.[17] Over the course of his international career from 2010 to 2021, he earned 46 caps and scored 5 goals for the senior team.[39] Robson-Kanu played a key role in Wales' successful UEFA Euro 2016 qualification campaign, featuring in nine matches and scoring once as the team topped their group to reach the tournament for the first time since 1958.[17] At the finals in France, he appeared in all four of Wales' matches during their group stage progression to the knockout rounds, scoring the winner against Slovakia in a 2–1 victory that secured top spot in Group B. His most memorable contribution came in the quarter-finals against Belgium on 1 July 2016, where he scored an iconic solo goal in the 55th minute—a Cruyff turn followed by a low finish past Thibaut Courtois—to give Wales a 2–1 lead in their 3–1 win, propelling them to the semi-finals for the first time in a major tournament.[5] His other international goals came in a 2–1 World Cup qualifying win over Scotland on 22 March 2013, a 2–1 Euro 2016 qualifying victory against Cyprus on 13 October 2014, and a 2–0 World Cup qualifying win against Moldova on 5 September 2017.[40][41][42] On 29 August 2018, after 34 caps, he announced his retirement from international football to focus on club commitments, though he briefly returned in 2020 under manager Ryan Giggs for World Cup qualifiers; however, he was excluded from the Euro 2020 squad in May 2021.[43][44] During Wales' golden era, Robson-Kanu contributed significantly under managers Chris Coleman, who led the team to Euro 2016 semi-finals, and Ryan Giggs, providing versatility as a forward and helping maintain competitiveness in subsequent qualifiers despite injury setbacks.[45]Post-playing career
Retirement from football
Hal Robson-Kanu was released by West Bromwich Albion on 27 May 2021, concluding his professional playing career at the age of 32 without securing any subsequent contracts. His decision to retire was influenced by a series of accumulating injuries, notably two cruciate ligament tears in his teenage years that led to chronic inflammation and persistent knee pain, which he managed through natural remedies such as turmeric-based blends rather than surgery.[46][47] Additionally, Robson-Kanu expressed a desire to prioritize time with his family and pursue business ventures outside of football.[46] In April 2023, amid Wrexham AFC's promotion push in the National League, Robson-Kanu publicly offered to come out of retirement and play for the club, proposing to donate his salary to a fan-chosen charity; the offer was not taken up.[48][49] Reflecting on his career, Robson-Kanu highlighted its longevity despite early injury setbacks, attributing his endurance to innovative recovery methods that allowed him to accumulate 382 club appearances and score 63 goals over 14 professional seasons.[50][46]Business and other activities
Following his retirement from professional football, Hal Robson-Kanu co-founded The Turmeric Co. in 2018 alongside his father, drawing inspiration from the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric that had personally aided his recovery from chronic knee injuries sustained during his athletic career.[2] The company specializes in wellness products, including turmeric-based shots and supplements designed to promote natural health benefits such as reduced inflammation and enhanced recovery.[51] As CEO, Robson-Kanu has led the brand's expansion, overseeing the launch of a range of functional drinks and nutritional supplements that emphasize fresh, science-backed ingredients.[52] The Turmeric Co. experienced significant growth, reaching an estimated 250,000 customers by 2024 through direct-to-consumer sales and partnerships focused on health and wellness.[2] This momentum continued into 2025, when the company secured a £15 million investment from AG Barr plc, which acquired a majority stake to accelerate international expansion and product development in the functional beverages sector.[53] Under Robson-Kanu's leadership, the business has prioritized evidence-based formulations, positioning itself as a competitor to larger sports nutrition brands by highlighting turmeric's role in athlete performance and everyday health.[51] Beyond his entrepreneurial role, Robson-Kanu has engaged in public speaking, delivering keynotes on topics such as business resilience, the transition from professional sports, and holistic wellness strategies; for instance, he spoke at the White Label World Expo in 2025 about scaling health-focused brands.[54] He has also contributed to philanthropy, supporting initiatives in youth sports access and health education, including collaborations with foundations like the Palace for Life Foundation to fund community events that promote physical activity and nutrition awareness.[55] Additionally, Robson-Kanu has made media appearances in outlets such as New Food Magazine and podcasts like Business of Sport, where he discusses the intersection of his athletic background with natural health advocacy.[47]Career statistics
Club statistics
Robson-Kanu's club career encompassed 428 appearances and 66 goals across various competitions.[3]Appearances and goals by season and club
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–08 | Southend United (loan) | 8 | 3 |
| 2008–09 | Southend United (loan) | 14 | 2 |
| 2008–09 | Swindon Town (loan) | 20 | 4 |
| 2009–10 | Reading | 18 | 0 |
| 2010–11 | Reading | 34 | 6 |
| 2011–12 | Reading | 38 | 4 |
| 2012–13 | Reading | 30 | 7 |
| 2013–14 | Reading | 37 | 4 |
| 2014–15 | Reading | 36 | 4 |
| 2015–16 | Reading | 35 | 5 |
| 2016–17 | West Bromwich Albion | 30 | 5 |
| 2017–18 | West Bromwich Albion | 24 | 2 |
| 2018–19 | West Bromwich Albion | 40 | 4 |
| 2019–20 | West Bromwich Albion | 39 | 10 |
| 2020–21 | West Bromwich Albion | 21 | 3 |
Southend United (loan): 22 appearances, 5 goals
Swindon Town (loan): 20 appearances, 4 goals
Reading: 228 appearances, 30 goals
West Bromwich Albion: 154 appearances, 24 goals [3]
Breakdown by competition
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 94 | 14 |
| Championship | 247 | 31 |
| League One | 42 | 9 |
| FA Cup | 26 | 5 |
| EFL Cup | 13 | 4 |
| Play-offs | 4 | 3 |
| Total | 428 | 66 |
International statistics
Robson-Kanu represented England at youth level, earning 2 caps for the under-19 team in 2007 and 2008 without scoring, followed by 1 cap for the under-20 team in 2009, also goalless.[1][56] He switched allegiance to Wales in 2010 and made his senior debut on 23 May 2010 against Croatia in a friendly. Over his international career with Wales from 2010 to 2021, he accumulated 46 caps and scored 5 goals.[39][57] The table below summarizes his senior appearances and goals by competition:| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 12 | 0 |
| UEFA European Championship qualifiers | 11 | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup qualifiers | 17 | 2 |
| UEFA Nations League | 1 | 0 |
| UEFA European Championship | 5 | 2 |
| Total | 46 | 5 |