By Hope Ejairu
Samu Omorodion stole the spotlight during FC Porto’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Manchester United in their Europa League clash on Thursday.
The striker scored a brace to ensure FC Porto walked away with a point from the match.
Omorodion spent last season on loan from Atletico Madrid to Alaves, where he played 34 games in La Liga and scored 8 goals.
However, he came into the limelight in the 2024 summer transfer window after being linked to some top European clubs, including Chelsea.
In fact, he was on the brink of joining Enzo Maresca’s side but the deal eventually collapsed.
Amid the collapsed Chelsea move, he later joined Portuguese side, Porto for €15 million (15 million euros) on a five-year deal, where he is currently plying his trade.
Having established the aforementioned, below are seven (7) things to know about the 20-year-old striker, who is currently one of the most exciting and promising youngsters in world football.
Place of birth
Samu Omorodion was born in Melilla, Spain to Nigerian parents, and relocated to Seville as a child.
Club Debut
He made his senior debut for Granada’s reserve team (Recreativo Granada) in March 2022 against Marchamalo, however, they suffered a 2-1 loss at home, and seven months later, he recorded his first senior goal, restoring the parity for his side against El Ejido, and the game eventually finished 1-1.
Alaves’ top scorer last season
Omorodion was the top scorer for Alaves in the La Liga last season with 8 goals, and registered 9 goals in total in the league, after scored for Granada before joining Alaves.
Current release clause
It will take a huge amount of money to lure him from his current club, Porto as he has a release clause of €100 million (100 million euros).
Club career goals
Having played for Recreativo Granada, Granada, Atletico Madrid, Alaves, and now Porto, he has amassed 34 goals in 78 appearances.
Goals scored for Porto in the ongoing season
He has scored 4 goals in 4 league games for Porto so far this season, and has taken his tally to 7 in 6 games across all competitions.
National team eligibility
As per national team representation, Omorodion is eligible to play for Nigeria and Spain, however, he has donned the jersey of Spain at the youth level, and also the national team at the 2024 Summer Olympics, where they lifted the title, winning gold upon a 5-3 victory over host nation, France.
