7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE

He is not the first, but he is the most recent and one of the most interesting. The signing of Samuel Chukwueze has excited both the transfer market and the heart of AC Milan. Around this player, there are expectations and also anecdotes, collected and underlined here. 

THAT MAGIC NIGHT AT THE BERNABÉU
If you haven't already, watch the highlights from Real Madrid v Villarreal from 8 April 2023. You'll find the best of Chukwueze on a perfect evening: a perfect brace for the victory (3-2) on the Bernabéu stage. For the first goal, he toyed with Nacho before dispatching cooly. The second was an extraordinary shot from distance that got the better of Courtois, a curling effort into the top left corner. A massive performance, even getting involved in Morales' equaliser. 

THIS TIME FOR AFRICA
He is the ninth Nigerian in AC Milan's history, the sixth to make his first-team debut after Aliyu Datti, Taribo West, Kingsley Umunegbu, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Taye Taiwo.

FAMOUS KINSHIP
Born in Umahaia, he is a member of the Igbo: one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. Among the almost 30 million people (about 17% of the population) who belong to it, there are some famous sportsmen: Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA star for the Milwaukee Bucks), as well as some footballers such as Kanu (former captain of the Nigerian national team, gold medallist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics like Okocha), Mikel (former Chelsea player, champion of Europe in 2011/12 and 2012/13) and Onyewu (ex AC Milan). Not only that, Okafor's father is also from the same community. 

MOTHER'S HEART
He has loved football since he was a child, but it was not easy to start. His mother originally didn’t want him to be distracted from his studies. Sometime later, a friend notified him of a trial to participate in a tournament in Portugal. Samuel didn't think they would allow him, but that very day, his mother woke him very early to urge him to go.  

POUR PARLER
His idol is Arjen Robben. No parallels, but certainly some important shared characteristics: the wide right position, the left foot, the dribbling. 

SHINING BRONZE
In the U17 World Cup he won with Nigeria in 2015 he was voted bronze boot. The tournament's top scorer was Victor Osimhen, then a national teammate and now a Serie A opponent.

DANCING FEET
In Europe last season, he created 24 chances by dribbling: fewer than only Vinicius and Rodrygo, the same as Leão. 

The AC Milan PUMA Away Kit for 2023/24 is available: buy it now!