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Samu Aghehowa

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Omorodion and the second or maternal family name is Aghehowa.
Samu Aghehowa
Personal information
Full name Samuel Omorodion Aghehowa[1]
Date of birth (2004-05-05) 5 May 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Melilla, Spain
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Porto
Number 9
Youth career
Sevilla
2015–2021 Nervión
2021–2022 Granada
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Granada B 32 (14)
2022–2023 Granada 1 (1)
2023–2024 Atlético Madrid 0 (0)
2023–2024 → Alavés (loan) 34 (8)
2024– Porto 12 (11)
International career‡
2022–2023 Spain U19 5 (1)
2023– Spain U21 11 (6)
2024– Spain U23 4 (1)
2024– Spain 1 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:27, 22 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:51, 18 November 2024 (UTC)

Samuel Omorodion Aghehowa (born 5 May 2004) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Primeira Liga club Porto and the Spain national team.

After coming through Granada's youth academy, Aghehowa began playing for the club's reserve team in 2022, being promoted to the first team in 2023. He subsquently signed with Atlético Madrid, being immediately loaned to La Liga club Alavés. In August 2024, Aghehowa joined Porto for a transfer fee of €15 million.

Eligible to play for Nigeria, Aghehowa represented Spain at various youth international levels. He won a gold medal with the Spain under-23 team at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He then made his senior international debut in 2024.

Club career

[edit]

Granada

[edit]

Born in Melilla to Nigerian parents,[2][3] Aghehowa moved to Seville at a young age.[2] After playing for local side AD Nervión in his hometown of Sevilla, he joined Granada's youth setup in 2021.[4]

On 6 March 2022, Aghehowa made his senior debut for Granada's reserve team, Recreativo Granada, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 league home loss to Marchamalo.[5] On 25 September, he scored his first senior goal, netting the B's equalizer in a 1–1 draw against El Ejido.[6]

On 20 April 2023, Aghehowa renewed his contract with the Nazaríes until 2028.[3][7] Having scored 18 goals for Granada's B team throughout the 2022–23 season,[8] helping the B team reach the Segunda Federación promotion play-offs.[3][8]

Aghehowa made his first-team debut on 14 August 2023, starting and scoring in a 3–1 away loss against Atlético Madrid.[9][10]

Atlético Madrid

[edit]

On 21 August, Aghehowa joined fellow top-tier side Atlético Madrid on a permanent deal, signing a five-year contract with the club, with Atlético triggering his €6 million release clause.[11][12]

Five days later, he was sent to Deportivo Alavés, also in the Spanish first division, on loan until the end of the season.[13][14] In the 2023–24 season, he became the top scorer for his club in La Liga by scoring 8 goals, out of 9 in total having scored a goal with Granada.[15]

In July 2024, Chelsea negotiated with Atlético for the transfer of Aghehowa, offering a bid worth €40 million (£34 million), plus add-ons, but Atlético initially turned it down. He agreed personal terms with Chelsea, and both clubs agreed on a deal, but issues surrounding an ankle injury during the medical examination and image rights negotiations led to the transfer collapsing in early August.[16][17] Shortly thereafter, he was excluded from first-team training, with Atlético arranging a permanent transfer for him. Aghehowa later described the experience as a "very complicated summer".[18][19]

Porto

[edit]

On 24 August 2024, Aghehowa joined Primeira Liga club Porto from Atlético Madrid on a five-year contract and reported €100 million release clause. Porto paid Atlético Madrid €15 million for 50% of his sports rights and also reserved the option to buy 30% of his sports rights in 2025 and 2026 for €5 million each year.[20]

He made his competitive debut for his new club in the to rivals 2–0 loss to Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga on 31 August,[21] and scored his first goal on 15 September, netting the winner in a 2–1 win against Farense.[22] In his next league match, on 21 September, Aghehowa scored a brace in a 3–0 victory over Vitória de Guimarães at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques.[23] Four days later, he made his debut in European competitions, starting and scoring in a 3–2 loss away at Bodø/Glimt, during the inaugural matchday of the newly formatted UEFA Europa League league stage;[24] followed by two goals in a 3–3 home draw with Manchester United on 3 October at Estádio do Dragão.[25] On 28 October, he scored a hat-trick in a 5–0 victory away against AVS in the Primeira Liga.[26] On 10 November, Aghehowa scored the lone goal for Porto in a 4–1 away defeat to rivals Benfica in O Clássico. This marked Porto's heaviest league loss to their arch-rivals in 60 years, a result not seen since a 4–0 defeat in the 1964–65 season.[27]

International career

[edit]

Prior to receiving his first competitive cap for the Spain senior team in November 2024, Aghehowa was eligible to represent Nigeria through his parents birthplace, but he chose to represent Spain internationally.[28]

In April 2023, Aghehowa received his first call-up to the Spain under-19 national team.[3][29] In July of the same year, he took part in the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Malta,[8][30] where the Rojita lost to eventual champions Italy in the semi-finals.[31] He was a member of Spain's national team for the football tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics, helping the team in their gold medal-winning run.[32]

Aghehowa received his first senior international call-up in November 2024 for a couple of Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Switzerland.[33] He made his debut against the latter on 18 November at Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, replacing Álvaro Morata at half-time, as Spain won the match 3–2.[34]

Style of play

[edit]

Aghehowa has been described by The Athletic as a "modern No 9" who is "tall, quick, and physically imposing" centre-forward.[35] He combines strength and aerial ability to create opportunities and threaten in the penalty area. His acceleration aids counterattacks, while his finishing shows promise with both feet and his head. He applies pressure effectively, disrupts opposition play, and contributes defensively with tracking and aerial support. His high work rate and direct approach enhance his impact in attack.[36][37][38]

According to former Atlético Madrid scout Javier Vidales, Aghehowa is "more than just a strong striker who holds up play and distributes the ball". He sees Aghehowa as playing the "role of two attackers: a target man who occupies defenders and a mobile forward who finds space. If defenders close down the spaces, he acts as a traditional No.9; if they block him, he adapts to exploit openings".[16]

Personal life

[edit]

Previously known as Samu Omorodion, Samu announced in November 2024 that he wanted to be known by his maternal surname Aghehowa to honour his mother.[39]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 21 December 2024[40]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Recreativo Granada 2021–22 Segunda División RFEF 3 0 — — — — 3 0
2022–23 Segunda Federación 29 14 — — — 4[c] 4 33 18
Total 32 14 — — — 4 4 36 18
Granada 2023–24 La Liga 1 1 — — — — 1 1
Alavés (loan) 2023–24 La Liga 34 8 1 0 — — — 35 8
Porto 2024–25 Primeira Liga 12 11 1 0 1 0 6[d] 5 0 0 20 16
Career total 79 34 2 0 1 0 6 5 4 4 92 43
  1. ^ Includes Copa del Rey, Taça de Portugal
  2. ^ Includes Taça da Liga
  3. ^ Appearances in Segunda Federación play-offs
  4. ^ Apparances in UEFA Europa League

International

[edit]
As of match played 18 November 2024[41]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 2024 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours

[edit]

Spain U23

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 – Squad List: Spain (ESP)" (PDF). FIFA. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Samu, el joven goleador al que el Granada quiere atar en corto" [Samu, the young goalscorer whom Granada want to tie up] (in Spanish). Ideal. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Cariño, Carlos (18 August 2023). "Myrto Uzuni y Samu Omorodion, patrimonio del Granada". Diario AS (in European Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Samu, del Nervión a sensación de Segunda Federación" [Samu, from Nervión to the sensation of Segunda Federación] (in Spanish). Mucho Deporte. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Al Recreativo Granada le ciegan los focos" [The fireworks blind Recreativo Granada's eyes] (in Spanish). Granada Hoy. 6 March 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Samu mantiene al Recreativo Granada invicto" [Samu keeps Recreativo Granada unbeaten] (in Spanish). Granada Hoy. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Comunicación Oficial: Renovación de Samu" [Official announcement : Renewal of Samu] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Pérez, Guillermo (17 August 2023). "Samu, la ganga del Granada que enamora en la Premier". Diario AS (in European Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Samu, el futuro ya está aquí" [Samu, the future is already here] (in Spanish). Marca. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  10. ^ Moñino, Ladislao J. (15 August 2023). "El Atlético arranca con pegada de líder". El País (in European Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  11. ^ "¡Bienvenido, Samu Omorodion!" [Welcome, Samu Omorodion!]. Club Atlético de Madrid (in European Spanish). 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  12. ^ Cazón, Patricia (21 August 2023). "Oficial: Samu Omorodion ya es del Atlético de Madrid hasta 2028" [Official: Samu Omorodion is of Atlético de Madrid until 2028]. Diario AS (in European Spanish). Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Samu Omorodion, explosividad para el ataque albiazul". Deportivo Alavés (in European Spanish). 26 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  14. ^ Lekuona, Javier (26 August 2023). "Omorodion llega cedido hasta final de temporada". Diario AS (in European Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  15. ^ Sharma, Abhinav (27 May 2024). "La Liga top scorers 2023-24: Jude Bellingham, Robert Lewandowski & players with the most goals in Spain this season". Goal.com.
  16. ^ a b "Former Atletico Scout Explains Why Chelsea Will Regret Missing Out on '2-in-1' Striker Samu Omorodion". The Real Chelsea Fans. 18 October 2024.
  17. ^ O'Connor-Simpson, Matt (5 August 2024). "Samu Omorodion: Why are Chelsea interested in €50m-rated Atletico Madrid striker with just nine senior goals?". Goal.com.
  18. ^ ""I spent many nights crying" – Samu Omorodion speaks on being ostracised at Atletico Madrid". Yahoo Sports. 12 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Samu Omorodion and the drama he experienced in the market: "It was a very complicated summer in Madrid, many nights crying..."". Marca. 12 October 2024.
  20. ^ "FC Porto oficializa contratação de Samu Omorodion por 15 milhões de euros". CMJornal (in Portuguese). Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  21. ^ "A crónica do Sporting-FC Porto, 2-0: Pote cheio de Gyökeres em triunfo indiscutível". Record (in European Portuguese). 31 August 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  22. ^ "Samu Omorodion estreia-se a marcar pelo FC Porto". A Bola (in European Portuguese). 15 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  23. ^ "FC Porto ganha aposta em Samu Omorodion com triunfo em Guimarães". A Bola (in European Portuguese). 21 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  24. ^ "Bodo/Glimt-FC Porto: dragão vive pesadelo na Noruega". A Bola (in European Portuguese). 24 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Man United's Bruno Fernandes gets red card for second straight game". ESPN. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  26. ^ "FC Porto goleia na Vila das Aves com 'hat-trick' do avançado Samu". Diário de Notícias (in European Portuguese). 28 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  27. ^ Ribeiro, Patrick (10 November 2024). "Benfica humble Porto with 4-1 thrashing at the Luz". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  28. ^ "Spain looking to provisionally cap-tie Nigeria-eligible striker who scored 18 goals last season". All Nigeria Soccer. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  29. ^ "Samu Omorodion, convocado con España sub-19" [Samu Omorodion, called up with Spain under-19s] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  30. ^ "OFICIAL | ¡Lista definitiva! 20 jugadores representarán a España en el Europeo de Malta". Spanish Football Federation (in European Spanish). 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  31. ^ Camacho, Ignacio (13 July 2023). "Italia deja a la Rojita sin final". Diario AS (in European Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  32. ^ Eludini, Tunde (11 August 2024). "Four athletes of Nigerian origin who won medals in Paris Olympics". Premium Times.
  33. ^ "Samu, Paredes y Casadó, novedades en la convocatoria de la selección española". EFE. 8 November 2024.
  34. ^ "Spain v Switzerland game report". ESPN. 18 November 2024.
  35. ^ Burke, Elias; Kasirye, Gillian (7 August 2024). "Who is Samu Omorodion and how might he fit at Chelsea?". The Athletic. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  36. ^ Vishwa, Sive (14 March 2024). "Samuel Omorodion: Spain's Next Top Striker?". Breaking the Lines. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  37. ^ Scott, Lee. "Samu Omorodion Scouting Report: Atlético Madrid Loan To Deportivo Alavés". Total Football Analysis. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Who is Samuel Omorodion and does he make sense for Chelsea?". Yahoo Sports. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  39. ^ "Samu explica por qué se 'olvida' del Omorodion y elige el Aghehowa de su madre: "Qué menos que honrarla con su apellido"". Relevo. 5 November 2024.
  40. ^ "Samu". Soccerway. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  41. ^ "Samu Aghehowa". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  42. ^ Ronay, Barney (9 August 2024). "Camello's extra-time double clinches football gold for Spain against France". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Alex Sola and Samu Omorodion win the LALIGA EA SPORTS Best Play for February". La Liga. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
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