Samuel Kalu

Samuel Kalu (born 26 August 1997) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as winger for Ligue 1 club Bordeaux and the Nigeria national team.

Samuel Kalu
Personal information
Full name Samuel Kalu Ojim
Date of birth (1997-08-26) 26 August 1997
Place of birth Aba, Nigeria
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Club information
Current team
 Girondins Bordeaux
Number 10
Youth career
GBS Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016 AS Trenčín 32 (4)
2017–2018 Gent 48 (10)
2018– Girondins Bordeaux 45 (5)
National team‡
2018– Nigeria 13 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19 September 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13 November 2019

Club career

Samuel Kalu started his football career at GBS Academy in Jos, Nigeria. In 2015, he signed with AS Trenčín, a partner club with GBS Academy at the time. After his impressive displays in the Slovak League with Trenčín, he joined KAA Gent in 2017. His spell in Belgium was successful and in the summer of 2018 he signed for French top division club Bordeaux. He was handed the number 10 jersey on arrival.

AS Trenčín

On 9 December 2015, Kalu signed a two-year contract with the Slovak side AS Trenčín.[2] He made his professional debut for Trenčín against Slovan Bratislava on 27 February 2016.[3]

Gent

On 4 January 2017, he was transferred to Belgium top division club KAA Gent.[4]

Bordeaux

On 6 August 2018, Kalu signed for Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, signing a five-year contract.[5]

International career

On 13 October 2018, he scored his first international goal with the Nigeria senior national team against Libya. He scored the final goal in a 4–0 victory. Kalu collapsed during the Nigerian team training session during the AFCON 2019 held in Egypt. Though rumours had it that he suffered a heart attack but this was later debunked as he collapsed as a result of severe dehydration. He was later released from the hospital to link up with the rest of the squad in Alexandria.

Personal life

Kalu's mother was released on 5 March 2019, having been kidnapped six days previously.[6]

Career statistics

International
As of matches played on 13 November 2019[7]
Nigeria national team
YearAppsGoals
201861
201971
Total132

International goals
Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first.[7]
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.13 October 2018Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Nigeria Libya4–04–02019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2.13 November 2019Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria Benin2–12–12021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

References
  1. https://www.girondins.com/fr/player/16106/samuelkalu-ojim
  2. KALU A UDEH PODPÍSALI DVOJROČNÉ KONTRAKTY 09.12.2015, astrencin.sk
  3. Futbalnet / Únia ligových klubov / Fortuna liga / AS Trenčín - ŠK Slovan Bratislava futbal 27.02.2016, futbalnet.sk
  4. "Samuel Kalu signs three and a half year deal with Gent". Goal. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  5. "Samuel Kalu is Girondin!" (in French). 6 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  6. Okeleji, Oluwashina (5 March 2019). "Nigeria winger Kalu's mother released by kidnappers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  7. Samuel Kalu at National-Football-Teams.com
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