Samuel Kalu Ojim (born 26 August 1997) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as winger for Bulgarian First League club Botev Plovdiv.
Club career Kalu started his football career at GBS Academy in Jos, Nigeria.
AS Trenčín On 9 December 2015, Kalu agreed to sign a two-year contract with Slovak side AS Trenčín,KALU A UDEH PODPÍSALI DVOJROČNÉ KONTRAKTY 09.12.2015, astrencin.sk a partner club with GBS Academy at the time. He made his professional debut for Trenčín against Slovan Bratislava on 27 February 2016.Futbalnet / Únia ligových klubov / Fortuna liga / AS Trenčín - ŠK Slovan Bratislava futbal 27.02.2016, futbalnet.sk
Gent On 4 January 2017, after his impressive displays in the Slovak League with Trenčín, Kalu was transferred to Belgium top division club KAA Gent.
Bordeaux On 6 August 2018, Kalu signed for Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, signing a five-year contract. He was handed the number 10 jersey on arrival.
On 15 August 2021, Kalu collapsed in a game against Marseille. He was able to get up and walk off the pitch with his teammates’ help while holding an ice pack against his head. Eight minutes later, he was substituted off for Rémi Oudin.
Watford On 26 January 2022, Kalu joined Premier League club Watford on a three-and-a-half-year deal until 2025.
FC Lausanne-Sport On 7 September 2023, Kalu joined Swiss Super League club FC Lausanne-Sport on a season long loan from Watford.
FC Botev Plovdiv In September 2025, Kalu joined Bulgarian First League club Botev Plovdiv after leaving Watford as a free agent. Following an impressive debut season, he signed a contract extension with the club until 2029 in July 2026, ending speculation over his future after attracting interest from several clubs.
International career On 13 October 2018, he scored his first international goal with the Nigeria senior national team against Libya. He scored the final goal in a 4–0 victory.
Kalu collapsed whilst participating in a team training session during the AFCON 2019 held in Egypt. Though rumours had it that he suffered a heart attack, this was later debunked as he collapsed as a result of severe dehydration. He was later released from the hospital to link up with the rest of the squad in Alexandria.
Personal life Kalu's mother was released on 5 March 2019, having been kidnapped six days previously.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAS Trenčín2015–16Slovak Super Liga13341——1742016–17Slovak Super Liga19131—51273Total32472—51447Gent2016–17Belgian First Division A16300—311942017–18Belgian First Division A32720—20367Total481020—515511Bordeaux2018–19Ligue 12131031703242019–20Ligue 12010020—2212020–21Ligue 12040000—2042021–22Ligue 11111000—121Total7292051708610Watford2021–22Premier League400000—402022–23Championship900000—90Total130000000130FC Lausanne-Sport2023–24Swiss Super League1530000—153Total153000000153Career total178231125117221131
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNigeria201861201971Total132
Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kalu goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Samuel KaluNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 13 October 2018 Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Nigeria 4–0 4–0 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification2 13 November 2019 Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria 2–1 2–1 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
References
External links
Futbalnet Profile AS Trenčín official club profile