Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze (born 22 May 1999) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Serie A club AC Milan and the Nigeria national team. Early life and education Chukwueze was born in Amaokwe Ugba Ibeku, Abia State. He is of Igbo descent and was brought up in a Christian family with a younger brother and a younger sister.
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He attended Government College Umuahia and Evangel Secondary School. He started playing football at the age of 8 and he admired Jay-Jay Okocha and Arjen Robben as his football idols growing up.
Club career – Villareal
Samuel 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 3–2 away defeat against 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 firstteam 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 Laliga 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.
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On 12 April 2022, in the second leg of the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League quarter-final away to Bayern Munich, Chukwueze scored the equaliser in the 88th minute, helping Villarreal progress to the semi-finals of the tournament. On 8 April 2023, Chukwueze scored a brace and recorded an assist against Real Madrid in a 3–2 away victory.
AC Milan
On 27 July 2023, Serie A club AC Milan announced the signing of Chukwueze, on a contract until 30 June 2028. As at April, 2024 Samuel Chukwueze have played 23 matches, 967 minutes, 1 goal, 17 shots, 363 passes, 81% pass accuracy and 60 duels won for AC Milan.
Review
Samuel Chukwueze is an exceptional person, on and off the pitch. His support for the grassroot is impactful. His contributions during the 2023 African Cup of Nations were noteworthy.
Review by Obike Uchechukwu Paul
