Kenneth Omeruo

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 Heerenveen, which ended in a 0–0 draw. On 19 April 2012, in a game against Groningen, Omeruo scored his first goal for ADO Den Haag. On 28 April 2012, Omeruo scored against VVV 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 nine 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…

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.

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

His younger brother Lucky Omeruo is also a footballer, who currently plays for 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.