Samu Omorodion, now known as Samu Aghehowa, is a 20 year old striker who’s turning out to be a revelation at his new club FC Porto. The striker has netted 12 times in 13 games this season for Sergio Conceicao and standing at 1.93m, poses a significant aerial threat as well.
A former Atlético Madrid talent and a member of Spain’s gold-medal-winning squad at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Samu is also eyeing his debut for Spain’s senior national team. But beyond his on-field exploits, his decision to change his name has brought his personal story into the spotlight.
Let’s dive into what we know about his roots and why he’s decided to change his name.
From Melilla to global prominence
Samu was born in 2004 in Melilla, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, to Nigerian parents. Though he holds Spanish nationality, his roots trace back to Nigeria. Growing up in Melilla till about 8 years of age, he later moved to La Macarena in Seville, where Samu was part of AD Nervión and Granada’s youth setups.
When it comes to his Nigerian roots, his parents come from a culturally rich region of Nigeria known as Edo State. His ancestry is firmly tied to his West African roots despite being born in Spain.
On the pitch, it seems as if Samu is going the Spanish way rather than playing for his origin country in Nigeria. The forward has represented Spain from the U-19 level upwards and most recently playing in the Olympics.
He’s gotten his call-up under De La Fuente but is yet to make his debut for the senior Spain side.
Samu’s Parents
Samu’s mother has been the cornerstone of his success. She raised Samu and his two siblings alone and reportedly travelled from West Africa to Melilla while she was pregnant with Samu.
His mother, Edith Aghehowa, took up menial jobs of a cleaner and a dressmaker to garner any income to feed and cater to her son’s ambitions. It was often that Samu had to walk to training as he didn’t have enough money to use the bus.
His mother was also his number one cheerleader, she used to wait for Samu, often until midnight to get home after training.
As for Samu’s father, there is not much known about his name and as to why he wasn’t with the family during trying times.
However not withstanding, that Samu’s father is very much alive and in contact with him, reports also suggest that he was contacted in an attempt to convince Samu to play for Nigeria instead of Spain.
From Samu Omorodion to Samu Aghehowa
Earlier this week news broke that Samu had decided to change his surname from Omorodion to Aghehowa. The reason for this stems from a desire to honor his mother’s sacrifices.
Speaking to Porto’s Revista Dragões magazine, he explained, “I want to be known through her surname. People know me by my other name, but I want to be known as Aghehowa.”
He also spoke about the hardships his mother endured to help him succeed, “Everything that my mother did for me has no price and I want to pay homage to her by using her surname. Many times we didn’t even have enough to eat. Thank God now everything is much better and now I can give my mother the life she deserves. She is the one who has always helped me”
Prior to his first Spain call-up he spoke about the emotions, “My Spain call up? Before I called her to tell her, they had already told her. She started crying, I am also very happy for her and very proud of everything I am doing and of being able to offer it to her.” he told Mundo Deportivo.
This symbolic gesture is more than just a change of name; it’s a declaration of gratitude and a tribute to his mother who shaped his journey.
Samu Aghehowa’s story is a reminder of the human side of football. From his humble beginnings in Melilla to the bright lights of Porto and the Spanish national team. The decision to adopt his mother’s surname weaves his identity with his gratitude, ensuring that her sacrifices are celebrated every time his name is mentioned.
