George Ilenikhena
Nigerian footballer (born 2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George Osazehmen Ilenikhena (born 16 August 2006) is a Nigerian-French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad.
|
Ilenikhena with Monaco in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | George Osazehmen Ilenikhena[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 16 August 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Al-Ittihad | ||
| Number | 99 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2009–2021 | Antony FE | ||
| 2021–2022 | Amiens | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022–2023 | Amiens B | 10 | (6) |
| 2022–2023 | Amiens | 17 | (2) |
| 2023–2024 | Antwerp | 37 | (8) |
| 2024–2026 | Monaco | 38 | (5) |
| 2026– | Al-Ittihad | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 21 May 2026 | |||
Early life
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, George Ilenikhena 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.[2][4] During that season he scored a total of 24 goals for the under-17 national side,[2] also playing and scoring in the Coupe Gambardella.[5][6] This drew the attention of clubs in France and abroad during the summer 2022, while he was still just aged 15.[5][7][8] Ilenikhena made his professional debut for the Amiens SC on 19 November 2002, 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.[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, he was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2006 worldwide.[16] 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 first goal for the club, securing a 2–1 victory against Barcelona in the opening match of the Champions League league phase.[18]
On 3 February 2026, Ilenikhena moved to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad from AS Monaco for a reported fee of €33 million, signing as a replacement for Karim Benzema.[19]
International career
Style of play
Ilenikhena is a quick centre-forward,[8] 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.[13]
He mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé as his two favourite players.[2]
Career statistics
- As of match played 24 January 2026[21]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Amiens B | 2022–23 | Championnat National 3 | 10 | 6 | – | – | – | 10 | 6 | |||
| Amiens | 2022–23 | Ligue 2 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 18 | 2 | ||
| Royal Antwerp | 2023–24 | Belgian Pro League | 37 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 6[b] | 1 | 1[c] | 0 | 49 | 14 |
| Monaco | 2024–25 | Ligue 1 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7[b] | 2 | 1[d] | 0 | 32 | 6 |
| 2025–26 | Ligue 1 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3[b] | 0 | — | 20 | 4 | ||
| Total | 38 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 10 | ||
| Career total | 102 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 129 | 32 | ||
- Includes Coupe de France, Belgian Cup
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- Appearance in Belgian Super Cup
- Appearance in Trophée des Champions
Honours
Royal Antwerp
