Porto’s new star striker Samu Omorodion has opened up on difficulties he faced during his spell at Atletico Madrid.
Samu Omorodion has made an impactful start at Porto following his switch to the Portuguese outfit from Atletico Madrid in the summer. The 20-year-old endured a horrid spell at the Wanda Metropolitano before being signed by Andre Villas-Boas team.
He has recently revealed how tough life was for him and his family in the Spanish capital, admitting he spent many nights crying.
“I was training separately. I didn’t feel like a part of the team, not like a footballer.
Samu Omorodion added: “I was training, and my mind was telling me otherwise. It was tough, really difficult.
“No one spoke to me to explain why and I didn’t speak to anyone… as I already knew Atlético Madrid’s stance,” he said.
He also opened up on how he coped with the disappointment of not securing a move to England to join London side Chelsea.
“I didn’t move to Chelsea when the deal was almost done, at the end it all happens for a reason”
Omorodion also thanked his new club, Porto, for trusting him and how happy they made him.
“I wanted to play at Atléti, it was a dream… but they didn’t want me and then Porto decided to trust me. I have to say thanks to Porto and the president, as their total trust has made the difference, I’m happy.'”
Samu Omorodion at Atletico Madrid
The forward joined Atletico Madrid from Granada after catching the eye of the Madrid team when he scored against them during his time with Granada. Shortly after arriving at Wanda Metropolitano, he was loaned to Alaves almost immediately, not featuring even once for the Madrid side.
He put up decent performances with Alaves during his loan spell, but it wasn’t enough to earn him a starting spot in the Atletico squad.
Omorodion didn’t get to participate in team training following his arrival from his loan spell – a move that reportedly broke him after he had been eager to prove himself with the club.
He has so far been thriving in his new environment, finding the back of the net seven times in seven outings with Porto.
Samuel Omorodion’s career stats
The 20-year-old was a sought-after prospect by many top teams in Europe, following a successful period with the Granada B team, where he scored 18 goals in 33 outings.
He made his debut for the Granada first team on August 14, 2023, finding the back of the net in the 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano. The goal was reportedly the key factor behind Atletico signing the youngster seven days later.
Following his arrival in Madrid, Spain, on 21 August 2023, he was loaned to Deportivo Alaves five days later. Omorodion spent a full season on loan with the Spanish side and ended up as the team’s top scorer, scoring a decent eight goals in 34 outings with them.
He returned to Atletico at the end of his loan spell at Alaves but was sold to Portuguese club Porto shortly after his return. The move to Portugal has seen the striker become rejuvenated; being labeled as the key threat for the team; he has hit the ground running with the team, scoring seven goals in seven appearances so far.
International career
Omorodion chose to represent the Spanish national team, although he is also eligible to feature for the Nigerian national team.
He featured in the U-19 Euro competition for the Rojita and also played a part in the 2024 Olympics football tournament with Spain U-23, winning the gold medal in the competition.
Samuel Omorodion’s contract, salary, net worth and market value
The Porto striker is currently on a five-year deal with the Portuguese club and earns €31,346 weekly and €1,630,000 yearly.
He reportedly has a net worth of £1m and is currently worth £35.00m.
