Teenage Nigerian striker Samu Omorodion announces arrival in La Liga

Spain-born Nigerian teenage striker Samu Omorodion Aghehowa announced his arrival in the 2023-24 La Liga season with a fine goal in the season opener for Granada as they lost 3-1 to Atletico Madrid.

After impressing with his side’s U-19 team in 2022-23, Omorodion was trusted to lead the line for Granada against Atletico Madrid, a huge test for the 19-year-old who was born in Spain to Nigerian parents.

Atletico Madrid took the lead late in the first half through Alvaro Morata, who opened his account for the new season. Los Colchoneros went into the break with a 1-0 lead over Granada.

The second half was more of the same from both sides, but a mistake from Atletico Madrid allowed Granada to get back into the game. In the 62nd minute, midfielder Gonzalo Villar played a square ball into the box for Omorodion to finish clinically. The teenager became the third-youngest player to score for Granada in La Liga.

Memphis Depay restored Los Colchoneros lead with an absolute rocket in the 67th minute before Marcos Llorente added a third late in the game.

Spain U-19 international Omorodion is eligible to play for Nigeria, and is among a generation of highly-rated strikers to emerge in recent years.