Jeff Ekhator
Italian footballer (born 2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Osayuki Jeff Ekhator (born 11 November 2006) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Genoa.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Osayuki Jeff Ekhator | ||
| Date of birth | 11 November 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Genoa, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Genoa | ||
| Number | 21 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014–2024 | Genoa | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Genoa | 48 | (3) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2024–2025 | Italy U19 | 11 | (3) |
| 2025– | Italy U21 | 6 | (2) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20 March 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 31 March 2026 | |||
Career
Ekhator started playing football at Don Bosco,[1][2] a grassroots club based in the Sampierdarena area of Genoa;[2] after being noticed by the scouts of Sampdoria, Virtus Entella and Genoa,[2] he joined the latter club's youth academy at the age of eight.[1][3] He then came through the Rossoblu's youth ranks,[1][4] as he eventually featured both for the under-18 and under-19 teams during the 2023–24 season,[3][5] helping the former side win the national title.[3][6]
In July 2024, Ekhator started training with Genoa's first team during their pre-season camp, under manager Alberto Gilardino.[3][7] On 9 August 2024, he made his professional debut for the club, coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute of a 1–0 win over Reggiana in the first round of the Coppa Italia.[5][8] On 17 August, he made his Serie A debut, coming on for Milan Badelj in the 86th minute of a 2–2 league draw with Inter Milan.[9][10]
Personal life
International career
Ekhator has made six appearances and scored one goal for the Italy Under-19 side.
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 20 March 2026[11]
| Club | Season | League | Coppa Italia | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Genoa | 2024–25 | Serie A | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 25 | 1 | |
| 2025–26 | Serie A | 24 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 26 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 48 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 4 | ||
