Ramon Olamilekan Azeez (born 12 December 1992) is a Nigerian footballer who played as a central midfielder.
He spent the vast majority of his professional career in Spain, starting at Almería B. In La Liga, he appeared for the first team of that club and Granada.
An international since 2014, Azeez represented Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup.
Club career Almería Born in Abuja, Azeez began playing football in the Future Pro Academy. In 2010 he agreed a move to UD Almería in Spain, but had to wait until July 2011 to complete the transfer.Ramon Azeez sigue mostrando un excelente nivel en el Mundial sub-20 con Nigeria (Ramon Azeez keeps showing excellent level at the under-20 World Cup with Nigeria) ; Ideal, 12 August 2011 (in Spanish)
On 17 August 2012, after one full season with the reserves in the Segunda División B, Azeez made his debut with the first team: he came on as a substitute for Javier Casquero in the 55th minute of an away fixture against FC Barcelona Atlètic in the Segunda División (5–4 win), but was himself replaced after just ten minutes after being booked and, according to manager Javi Gracia, risking a subsequent sending off.Festival goleador para abrir la Liga Adelante (Goalscoring party to open Liga Adelante); Marca, 17 August 2012 (in Spanish)
Azeez was definitely promoted to the Andalusians' main squad on 28 June 2013, with the club having just promoted to La Liga. Dieciséis jugadores tienen actualmente contrato en vigor con la primera plantilla de la UD Almería (Sixteen players currently on contract with UD Almería's first team) ; UD Almería, 28 June 2013 (in Spanish) He made his debut in the competition on 30 August, playing 23 minutes of the 2–2 home draw with Elche CF.Almeria denied first win ; ESPN FC, 17 August 2013
On 21 December 2013, Azeez scored his first professional goal, the game's only in a win at Real Betis.Azeez effort enough for Almeria ; ESPN FC, 21 December 2013 He repeated the feat in the second meeting between the two sides, scoring in the 94th minute for a 3–2 victory at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos.El Almería nunca se rinde (Almería never surrender); Marca, 4 May 2014 (in Spanish)
Azeez featured sparingly during the 2014–15 campaign, as Almería suffered relegation. In June 2015 he requested a transfer,Azeez pide al club que escuche ofertas (Azeez asks the club to listen to offers); Mundo Deportivo, 16 June 2015 (in Spanish) and after failing to sign a professional contract he was demoted back to the reserves in August.El club baja a Azeez al filial y Sergi piensa en José Ángel (The club demotes Azeez to the reserves and Sergi thinks of José Ángel); Diario AS, 10 August 2015 (in Spanish)
On 26 January 2016, Azeez returned to the main squad, seriously threatened with relegation, after agreeing to a professional deal.Ramón Azeez vuelve al primer equipo (Ramón Azeez returns to the first team); Marca, 26 January 2016 (in Spanish)
Lugo and Granada On 13 July 2017, free agent Azeez signed with CD Lugo also of the Spanish second tier.El Lugo ficha a Ramón Azeez (Lugo sign Ramón Azeez); La Voz de Galicia, 13 July 2017 (in Spanish) On 1 February 2019, he joined Granada CF of the same league on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
On 21 September 2019, Azeez headed home from close range following an Antonio Puertas cross, in the first minute of a 2–0 home win over defending champions FC Barcelona. In February 2021, he was loaned to FC Cartagena until the end of the second-division season.
International career Azeez appeared with the Nigeria under-17's at the 2009 FIFA World Cup, and was a regular in a team that finished runners-up. Two years later, also as a starter, he participated in the U-20 World Cup.
On 3 February 2014, Azeez was called up to the full side for a friendly with Mexico.Azeez, convocado por la selección absoluta de Nigeria (Azeez, called up by Nigeria's full team) ; UD Almería, 3 February 2014 (in Spanish) He made his debut on 5 March, playing the second half of the 0–0 draw at Georgia Dome.
Azeez was named in the provisional 30-man squad ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on 6 May. He was included in Stephen Keshi's final list for the tournament, and made his debut on 16 June by starting in a 0–0 draw against Iran.
In September 2019, Azeez was recalled to the national team after five years.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAlmería B2011–12Segunda División B282——2822012–13Segunda División B313——3132015–16Segunda División B192——192Total787000000Almería2012–13Segunda División2020—402013–14La Liga30220—3222014–15La Liga14030—1702015–16Segunda División3000—302016–17Segunda División22200—222Total7147000784Lugo2017–18Segunda División37220—3922018–19Segunda División12030—150Total4925000542Granada2018–19Segunda División13000—1302019–20La Liga25240—2922020–21La Liga2020—402021–22La Liga0000—00Total4026000462Cartagena (loan)2020–21Segunda División16000—160Career total254151800027215
International NigeriaYearAppsGoals201440201910Total50
Honours Nigeria U20 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations: 2011
Nigeria U17 FIFA U-17 World Cup runner-up: 2009
Individual FIFA U-17 World Cup Bronze Ball: 2009
References
External links