Samuel Chukwueze


Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Villarreal CF and the Nigeria national team as a winger.

Early life and education

Chukwueze was born in Umuahia Abia state. He is of Igbo descent and was brought up in a Christian family with a younger brother and a younger sister. He attended Government College Umuahia and Evangel Secondary School. He started playing football at the age of 8 and he admired Jay-Jay Okocha as his football idol growing up. He has been mentored by Hon. Victor Apugo whom he saw as a father, as stated in his earlier interview.

Club career

Born in Amaokwe Ugba Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, Chukwueze joined Villarreal CF's prolific youth setup in 2017, from local side Diamond Football Academy. After being initially assigned to the club's Juvenil A squad, he made his senior debut with the reserves on 15 April 2018, coming on as a second-half substitute for Sergio Lozano in a 1–1 Segunda División B away draw against CE Sabadell FC.
Chukwueze scored his first senior goal on 20 May 2018, netting his team's second in a 3–1 away defeat of Bilbao Athletic. He contributed with two goals in 11 appearances during his first season, as his side missed out promotion in the play-offs.
Chukwueze made his first-team debut on 20 September 2018, replacing Nicola Sansone in a 2–2 home draw against Rangers, for the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League. He also made his league debut on 5 November 2018, playing a 90-minute full play in a 1–1 home draw against Levante, for the 2018–19 La Liga.
In April 2019 he won the Nigeria Football Federation's 2018 Young Player of the Year award.

International career

After playing for Nigeria at under-17 level, he received his first call-up to the senior team in October 2018. He made his debut for the Nigerian senior team on 20 November 2018 as a starter in a 0–0 friendly draw against Uganda.
In May 2019, Chukwueze was invited to represent Nigeria's senior team at the Africa Cup of Nations and the Under-20 team at the Under-20 World Cup. However, club side Villarreal said he could only play in one of the tournaments. He was part of the Nigerian squad for Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Egypt. He scored his first senior goal in Nigeria's 2–1 win over South Africa in the quarter finals.

Playing style

He has been compared to Arjen Robben because of his skillset.

50 for the future

The AFCON bronze medallist was on Tuesday, 30 July, revealed as one of the 50 youngsters to watch in world football by , with a worth of about $33 million.
Titled: 50 for the future: UEFA.com’s ones to watch in 2019/20; Chukwueze, 20 was described as a "Precocious winger with UEFA Europa League experience; the Nigeria Football Federation’s young player of the year for 2017/18.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.10 July 2019Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt1–02–12019 Africa Cup of Nations
2.17 November 2019Setsoto Stadium, Maseru, Lesotho2–14–22021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

International