George Ilenikhena Explained

George Ilenikhena
Fullname:George Osrzehmen Ilenikhena[1]
Birth Date:16 August 2006
Birth Place:Lagos, Nigeria
Height:1.85 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Monaco
Clubnumber:21
Youthyears1:2009–2021
Youthyears2:2021–2022
Youthclubs2:Amiens
Years1:2022–2023
Clubs1:Amiens B
Caps1:10
Goals1:6
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:Amiens
Caps2:17
Goals2:2
Years3:2023–2024
Clubs3:Antwerp
Caps3:37
Goals3:8
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Monaco
Caps4:12
Goals4:1
Club-Update:23:10, 22 November 2024 (UTC)

George Osrzehmen Ilenikhena (born 16 August 2006) is a French-Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Monaco.

Early life

George Ilenikhena was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but he arrived in France aged 3, growing up in Antony, Hauts-de-Seine.[2] [3]

Club career

Having made his way through all of the youth levels of the amateur Antony Football Evolution, George Ilenikhena joined the professional club of Amiens that was just relegated to Ligue 2, for the 2021–22 season.[4]

During that season he scored a total of 24 goals for the under-17 national side, also playing and scoring in the Coupe Gambardella.[5] [6] This soon drew the attention of big clubs in France and Abroad during the summer 2022, while he was still just aged 15.[7] [8]

Ilenikhena made his professional debut for the Amiens SC on 19 November 2022, during a 10–0 home Coupe de France win to the Aiglon du Lamentin. He came on as a substitute for Jérémy Gelin, as his side was already 8–0 up.[9] [10] [11]

Having fully moved from the youth teams to the National 3 reserve team,[12] Ilenikhena still kept on training regularly with the first team, even making his first assist in December 2022 during a friendly game against FUS Rabat.[13]

On 29 June 2023, Ilenikhena signed for Belgian Pro League Champions, Royal Antwerp, on a four-year deal,[14] for a reported fee of €6 million.[15] On 11 October 2023, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide.[16] Later that year, on 13 December, he scored his first Champions League goal in the 92nd minute of stoppage time, securing a 3–2 victory against Barcelona to be his club's first ever win in the competition.[17]

On 25 July 2024, Ilenikhena signed for Ligue 1 Club, AS Monaco. Later that year, on 19 September, he scored his second Champions League goal in the 71st minute of second half, securing a 2–1 victory against Barcelona to be his club's first win in the competition.[18]

International career

George Ilenikhena first featured with France youth teams in the summer of 2021, as he was selected with the Under-16, along with the likes of Warren Zaïre-Emery.[19]

Style of play

Ilenikhena is a quick centre-forward, Philippe Hinschberger, the coach of his debut with Amiens, describes him as a strong left-footed player, with an outstanding ability to attack the depth of the field.

He mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé as his two favorite players.

Career statistics

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Amiens B2022–23Championnat National 3106–––106
Amiens2022–23Ligue 217210––182
Royal Antwerp2023–24Belgian Pro League3785561104914
Monaco2024–25Ligue 1121004100162
Career total761765102109324

Honours

Royal Antwerp

2023[20]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Player profile . 24 January 2024 . 24 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240124120159/https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j59727.html . live .
  2. Web site: Youcef . Rafik . 2022-08-20 . Turfu [4/14] - George Ilenikhena (Amiens SC) : " Je sais ce que je veux être dans le foot " ]. 2023-01-07 . . fr . 7 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230107174515/https://www.onzemondial.com/ligue-2/turfu-george-ilenikhena-amiens-sc-je-sais-ce-que-je-veux-etre-dans-le-foot-792233 . live .
  3. News: June 2022 . L'espoir du mois : George Ilenikhena, Mister George Junior . 15 . . 82.
  4. Web site: 2 November 2020 . Georges Ilenikhena (Antony Football Evolution-2006) signe à l'Amiens SC… . 2023-01-07 . Panamefoot . fr-FR . 7 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230107220136/https://www.panamefoot.fr/georges-iienikhena-antony-football-evolution-2006-signe-a-lamiens-sc/ . live .
  5. Web site: Aouna . Santi . 16 July 2022 . George Ilenikhena dans le viseur de cadors européens . 2023-01-07 . . fr . 7 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230107224423/https://www.footmercato.net/a8316312003393853159-george-ilenikhena-dans-le-viseur-de-cadors-europeens . live .
  6. Web site: 2022-02-20 . Coupe Gambardella: l'Amiens SC éliminé par l'AC Ajaccio en 8e de finale . 2023-01-07 . Courrier picard . fr . 7 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230107224426/https://www.courrier-picard.fr/id280746/article/2022-02-20/coupe-gambardella-lamiens-sc-elimine-par-lac-ajaccio-en-8e-de-finale . live .
  7. Web site: Bricout . Nathan . 2022-07-16 . Les infos mercato en direct : Lewandowski au Barça, le PSG officialise Ekitike... . 2023-01-07 . Onze Mondial . fr . 27 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240927041147/https://www.onzemondial.com/transferts/les-infos-mercato-en-direct-suivez-l-actualite-des-transferts-du-16-juillet-787512 . live .
  8. Web site: 2021-12-10 . Mercato OM : Longoria pisterait un phénomène de 15 ans . 2023-01-07 . . fr-FR . 27 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240927041025/https://www.lephoceen.fr/infos-om/mercato/mercato-om-longoria-pisterait-un-phenomene-de-15-ans-193860 . live .
  9. Web site: Chaumier . Morgan . 2022-11-20 . Philippe Hinschberger : " J'ai aimé notre sérieux " . 2023-01-07 . Gazette Sports . fr-FR . 7 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230107162731/https://gazettesports.fr/2022/11/20/amiens-sc-philippe-hinschberger-jai-aime-notre-serieux/ . live .
  10. Web site: Pechon . Romain . 2022-11-20 . Amiens SC - Lamentin : les tops et flops . 2023-01-07 . Le 11 HDF . fr-FR.
  11. Web site: 19 November 2022 . Amiens SC Football - Les Amiénois se sont vite mis à l'abri et éliminé facilement l'Aiglon du Lamentin . 2023-01-07 . . fr . 27 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240927041029/http://www.amiensfootball.com/blog/article/les-amienois-se-sont-vite-mis-a-labri-et-elimine-facilement-laiglon-du-lamentin-13145 . live .
  12. Web site: 2022-11-26 . Football (N3): l'Amiens SC (b) surprend Marcq-en-Barœul . 2023-01-07 . Courrier picard . fr . 7 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230107233903/https://www.courrier-picard.fr/id364433/article/2022-11-26/football-n3-lamiens-sc-b-surprend-marcq-en-baroeul . live .
  13. Web site: Pechon . Romain . 2022-12-16 . Philippe Hinschberger (Amiens SC) : " On a un peu les boules " . 2023-01-07 . Le 11 HDF . fr-FR.
  14. Web site: SPITS GEORGE ILENIKHENA TEKENT CONTRACT BIJ RAFC. STRIKER GEORGE ILENIKHENA SIGNS CONTRACT WITH RAFC. Dutch. royalantwerpfc.be. 29 June 2023. 29 June 2023. 19 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240119030907/https://royalantwerpfc.be/nieuws/nieuwe-spits-voor-rafc. live.
  15. Web site: Amosu . Adeboye . 2023-06-29 . Done Deal: Belgian Champions Royal Antwerp Sign Nigerian Youngster . 2023-12-26 . Complete Sports . en-us . 26 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231226153536/https://www.completesports.com/done-deal-belgian-champions-royal-antwerp-sign-nigerian-youngster/ . live .
  16. Web site: Next Generation 2023: 60 of the best young talents in world football. Marcus. Christenson. Steven. Bloor. Garry. Blight. 11 October 2023. 11 October 2023. theguardian.com. 18 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231118211838/https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/oct/11/next-generation-2023-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football. live.
  17. Web site: Royal Antwerp 3-2 Barcelona: Late winner stuns Catalans in Champions League . . 13 December 2023 . 13 December 2023 . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221000334/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67711181 . live .
  18. Web site: Monaco 2-1 Barcelona: George Ilenikhena scores as 10-man Barca beaten in Champions League . . 19 September 2024 . 20 September 2024 . Marissa . Thomas . 20 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240920004524/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c04ppddv50et . live .
  19. Web site: Stage U16 : Rassemblement du 23.08.2021 au 26.08.2021 . 2022-01-08 . . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110044100/https://media.fff.fr/uploads/files/8723a1238b5400bbd84839ee2a5351f4.pdf . live .
  20. Web site: Antwerp wint nu ook de Supercup! KV Mechelen plooit pas na strafschoppen . 23 July 2023 . . nl . 23 July 2023 . 1 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231201122903/https://sporza.be/nl/matches/voetbal/belgische-super-cup/2023/finale/01/antwerp-kv-mechelen-antwerp-wint-nu-ook-de-supercup-kv-mechelen-plooit-pas-na-strafschoppen~1686136260794/ . live .

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