Kenneth Omeruo

Kenneth Omeruo
Omeruo with Nigeria in 2017
Personal information
Full name Kenneth Josiah Omeruo
Date of birth (1993-10-17) 17 October 1993 (age 30)
Place of birth Abia State, Nigeria
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Kasımpaşa
Number 4
Youth career
Hard Foundation
2010–2012 Standard Liège
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2019 Chelsea 0 (0)
2012–2013ADO Den Haag (loan) 36 (2)
2014–2015Middlesbrough (loan) 33 (0)
2015–2016Kasımpaşa (loan) 25 (0)
2016–2017Alanyaspor (loan) 26 (1)
2017–2018Kasımpaşa (loan) 28 (1)
2018–2019Leganés (loan) 28 (0)
2019–2023 Leganés 86 (5)
2023– Kasımpaşa 19 (1)
International career
2009 Nigeria U17 7 (1)
2011 Nigeria U20 5 (0)
2013– Nigeria 65 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 March 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:01, 28 January 2024 (UTC)

Kenneth Josiah Omeruo OON MON (born 17 October 1993) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Süper Lig club Kasımpaşa and the Nigeria national team. Omeruo signed for Chelsea from Standard Liège in January 2012 and upon signing went on loan to Dutch top-flight side ADO Den Haag. Then only 19, he impressed enough in the Eredivisie to earn a call up to the Nigerian national team.

Now a regular international, Omeruo has represented Nigeria at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. Omeruo cemented a place in the starting line-up at the Africa Cup of Nations as it turned into a wonderful tournament for the Super Eagles and they emerged from the tournament victorious. In 2019 he scored his first goal in the Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea. He was a key part of the Super Eagles team that won the bronze medal in 2019.

Club career

Early career

Omeruo had spells at Sunshine Stars and Anderlecht as a trialist before he was signed from the Anderlecht academy by Standard Liège.

Chelsea

In January 2012, Chelsea signed Omeruo from Liège and immediately loaned him out to Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag. In May 2014 Nigeria World Cup-bound Omeruo agreed a new three-year contract with Chelsea.

Loan to ADO Den Haag

Omeruo joined ADO Den Haag on an 18-month loan deal which kept him at the club until the end of the 2012–13 season. On 3 March 2012, Omeruo made his debut for ADO Den Haag against SC Heerenveen which ended in a 0–0 draw. On 19 April 2012, in a game against FC Groningen Omeruo scored his first goal for ADO Den Haag.

On 28 April 2012, Omeruo scored against VVV-Venlo in the 19th minute. He is the only player in the Dutch league ever to score a goal, an own goal and receive a red card in one match.

Loan to Middlesbrough

On 7 January 2014, Omeruo joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season. On 1 February 2014, Omeruo made his debut for Middlesbrough in a 0–0 draw against Doncaster Rovers. On 8 April 2014, Omeruo was sent off in the 82nd minute after picking up a second yellow. Although Boro had to finish the game with 9-men (Ben Gibson was also sent off late in the game), they still managed to earn a 3–1 win victory against Birmingham City.

He rejoined Middlesbrough for the 2014–15 season, making his first appearance against Birmingham in a 2-0 win.

Loan to Kasımpaşa

On 21 July 2015, Omeruo joined Kasımpaşa on a season-long loan with an option to purchase the player at the end of the spell. On 16 August 2015, Omeruo made his debut for Kasımpaşa in a match against Gaziantepspor, the match ended in a 3–0 victory for Kasımpaşa. Five days later, Omeruo made his home debut against İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. which ended in a 1–0 victory for Kasımpaşa.

Omeruo had an up and down season, suffering from a couple injuries, however started whenever he was fit. Although the loan deal had an option to buy, Kasımpaşa decided to pass on the option due to a lack of funds, which led to Omeruo returning to Chelsea for pre-season.

Loan to Alanyaspor

On 31 August 2016, Omeruo signed a one-year contract extension until 2019, before leaving on loan again. He joined Alanyaspor on a season-long loan. He was given the number 44. On 10 September 2016, Omeruo made his debut in a 0–0 draw against Gençlerbirliği. On 25 February 2017, Omeruo scored his first goal for Alanyaspor in their 4–1 home victory over Adanaspor, netting in the hosts' second in the 37th minute.

In May 2017, Omeruo said he might have to leave Chelsea in order to play regular first-team football.

Return to Kasımpaşa

On 25 August 2017, after signing a new three-year deal at Chelsea, Omeruo returned to Kasımpaşa on a season-long loan.

Leganés

On 15 August 2018, Omeruo joined CD Leganés on a season-long loan. In October 2018 he stated that he was enjoying playing in Spain, and in March 2019 he said he wanted to sign for Leganés permanently.

On 13 August 2019, Omeruo returned to Leganés, this time on a permanent deal, ending his seven year spell at Chelsea.

Third spell at Kasımpaşa

On 27 July 2023, Leganés announced the transfer of Omeruo to Kasımpaşa.

International career

Omeruo with Nigeria against Argentina in a friendly match in 2017

Omeruo played for the Nigerian Under-20 team that reached the quarter-finals at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

On 9 January 2013, at the age of 19 he played for the senior team for the first time in a goalless draw against Cape Verde. He then went on to play in all of Nigeria's matches at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations as Nigeria went on to win the competition for the third time.

Later that year he was selected for Nigeria's squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and played in all of the three group games as Nigeria finished third in their group.

Omeuro was named in Nigeria's final squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and started in all four games as Nigeria finished second in their group and were eliminated by France at the Round of 16.

He was selected by Nigeria for their 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics, but did not make the final 18- man squad.

In May 2018 he was named in Nigeria's preliminary 30 man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Playing style

Omeruo has been described as a "tall, rangy but strong centre-back" and a "level-headed and determined youngster".

Personal life

His younger brother Lucky Omeruo is also a footballer, who currently plays for CD Leganés B. as a striker and for the Nigeria national under-20 football team.

Omeruo and his wife Chioma have welcomed their first child in London, a girl named Chairein.

Career statistics

Club

As of 25 July 2020
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chelsea 2011–12 Premier League 0 0 0 0
ADO Den Haag (loan) 2011–12 Eredivisie 9 0 0 0 9 0
2012–13 27 2 2 0 29 2
Total 36 2 2 0 38 2
Middlesbrough (loan) 2013–14 Championship 14 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
2014–15 19 0 2 0 1 0 22 0
Total 33 0 2 0 1 0 36 0
Kasımpaşa (loan) 2015–16 Süper Lig 25 0 1 0 26 0
Alanyaspor (loan) 2016–17 Süper Lig 26 1 0 0 26 1
Kasımpaşa (loan) 2017–18 Süper Lig 28 1 0 0 28 1
Leganés (loan) 2018–19 La Liga 28 0 3 0 31 0
Leganés 2019–20 La Liga 23 1 0 0 23 1
Total 51 1 3 0 54 1
Career total 199 5 8 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 208 5

International

As of match played 10 October 2021
Nigeria
Year Apps Goals
2013 15 0
2014 11 0
2015 5 0
2016 3 0
2017 2 0
2018 7 0
2019 9 1
2020 1 0
2021 1 0
Total 54 1

International goals

As of 26 June 2019. Score column indicates score after each Omeruo goal, Nigeria score listed first.[citation needed]
No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 June 2019 Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt  Guinea 1–0 1–0 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Honours

Nigeria

Orders


This page was last updated at 2024-03-25 08:32 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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