Samu Aghehowa

Granada

Samu Aghehowa was born in Melilla to Nigerian parents. The parents of Samu Aghehowa arrived as refugees in the North African Spanish enclave. Aghehowa moved to Seville at a young age. After playing for local side AD Nervión in his hometown of Sevilla, he joined Granada's youth setup in 2021. On 6 March 2022, Aghehowa made his senior debut for Granada's reserve team, Recreativo Granada, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 league home loss to Marchamalo. On 25 September, he scored his first senior goal, netting the B's equalizer in a 1–1 draw against El Ejido. On 20 April 2023, Aghehowa renewed his contract with the Nazaríes until 2028. Having scored 18 goals for Granada's B team throughout the 2022–23 season, helping the B team reach the Segunda Federación promotion play-offs. Aghehowa made his first-team debut on 14 August 2023, starting and scoring in a 3–1 away loss against Atlético Madrid.

Atlético Madrid

On 21 August, Aghehowa joined fellow top-tier side Atlético Madrid on a permanent deal, signing a five-year contract with the club, with Atlético triggering his €6 million release clause. Five days later, he was sent to Deportivo Alavés, also in the Spanish first division, on loan until the end of the season. In the 2023–24 season, he became the top scorer for his club in La Liga by scoring 8 goals, out of 9 in total having scored a goal with Granada. In July 2024, Chelsea negotiated with Atlético for the transfer of Aghehowa,…

Prior to receiving his first competitive cap for the Spain senior team in November 2024, Aghehowa was eligible to represent Nigeria through his parents' birthplace, but he chose to represent Spain internationally. In April 2023, Aghehowa received his first call-up to the Spain under-19 national team. In July of the same year, he took part in the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Malta, where the Rojita lost to eventual champions Italy in the semi-finals. He was a member of Spain's national team for the football tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics, helping the team in their gold medal-winning run. Aghehowa received his first senior international call-up in November 2024 for a pair of Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Switzerland. He made his debut against the latter on 18 November at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, replacing Álvaro Morata at half-time, as Spain won the match 3–2.

Aghehowa has been described by The Athletic as a "modern No 9" who is "tall, quick, and physically imposing" centre-forward. He combines strength and aerial ability to create opportunities and threaten in the penalty area. His acceleration aids counterattacks, while his finishing shows promise with both feet and his head. He applies pressure effectively, disrupts opposition play, and contributes defensively with tracking and aerial support. His high work rate and direct approach enhance his impact in attack. According to former Atlético Madrid scout Javier Vidales, Aghehowa is "more than just a strong striker who holds up play and distributes the ball". He sees Aghehowa as playing the "role of two attackers: a target man who occupies defenders and a mobile forward who finds space. If defenders close down the spaces, he acts as a traditional No.9; if they block him, he adapts to exploit openings".

Previously known as Samu Omorodion, Samu announced in September 2026 that he wanted to be known by his maternal surname, Aghehowa, to honour his mother.