Nigerian defender Kenneth Omeruo has been loaned out to Spanish La Liga outfit Leganes as he embarks on his seventh loan from his parent club Chelsea.
Omeruo started two games in the World Cup against Iceland and Nigeria. Interestingly since joining Chelsea back in 2012 Omeruo is yet to play a competitive game for Chelsea. Omeruo spent last season on loan to Turkish outfit Kasimpasa.
The 24 year old has also had loan spells at Dutch side ADO Den Haag, Middlesbrough in England for two seasons followed by two successive loan stints at Turkish club Alanyaspor. Omeruo recently tied down his future at the club with a contract that runs out in 2020. Omeruo has amassed a total of 40 caps for Nigeria that includes appearances at the World Cup and FIFA Confederations Cup.
In January 2012, Chelsea signed Omeruo from Liège and immediately loaned him out to Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag. In May 2014 Nigeria World Cup-bound Omeruo agreed a new three-year contract with Chelsea.
On 31 August 2016, Omeruo signed a one-year contract extension until 2019, before leaving on loan again.
Omeruo joined ADO Den Haag on an 18-month loan deal which kept him at the club until the end of the 2012–13 season. On 3 March 2012, Omeruo made his debut for ADO Den Haag against SC Heerenveen which ended in a 0–0 draw. On 19 April 2012, in a game against FC Groningen Omeruo scored his first goal for ADO Den Haag.
On 28 April 2012, Omeruo scored against VVV-Venlo in the 19th minute, although just three minutes later scored an own goal. He is the only player in the Dutch league ever to score a goal, an own goal and receive a red card in one match.
On 7 January 2014, Omeruo joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season. On 1 February 2014, Omeruo made his debut for Middlesbrough in a 0–0 draw against Doncaster Rovers. On 8 April 2014, Omeruo was sent off in the 82nd minute after picking up a second yellow. Although Boro had to finish the game with 9-men (Ben Gibson was also sent off late in the game), they still managed to earn a 3–1 win victory against Birmingham City.
He rejoined Middlesbrough for the 2014–15 season, making his first appearance against Birmingham in a 2-0 win.
On 21 July 2015, Omeruo joined Kasımpaşa on a season-long loan with an option to purchase the player at the end of the spell. On 16 August 2015, Omeruo made his debut for Kasımpaşa in a match against Gaziantepspor, the match ended in a 3–0 victory for Kasımpaşa.Five days later, Omeruo made his home debut against İstanbul Başakşehir F.K.which ended in a 1–0 victory for Kasımpaşa.
Omeruo had an up and down season, suffering from a couple injuries, however started whenever he was fit. Although the loan deal had an option to buy, Kasımpaşa decided to pass on the option due to a lack of funds, which led to Omeruo returning to Chelsea for pre-season.
On 31 August 2016, after he served out for Kasımpaşa, Omeruo joined Alanyaspor on a season-long loan. He was given the number 44. On 10 September 2016, Omeruo made his debut in a 0–0 draw against Gençlerbirliği.On 25 February 2017, Omeruo scored his first goal for Alanyaspor in their 4–1 home victory over Adanaspor, netting in the hosts’ second in the 37th minute.
On 25 August 2017, preceding signing a new three-year deal at Chelsea, Omeruo returned to Kasımpaşa on a season-long loan.
On 15 August 2018, Omeruo joined CD Leganés on a season-long loan.
Omeruo played for the Nigerian Under-20 team that reached the quarter-finals at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
On 9 January 2013, at the age of 19 he played for the senior team for the first time in a goalless draw against Cape Verde. He then went on to play in all of Nigeria’s matches at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations as Nigeria went on to win the competition for the third time.
Later that year he was selected for Nigeria’s squad at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and played in all of the three group games as Nigeria finished third in their group.
Omeuro was named in Nigeria’s final squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and started in all four games as Nigeria finished second in their group and were eliminated by France at the Round of 16.
He was selected by Nigeria for their 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics, but did not make the final 18- man squad.[
In May 2018 he was named in Nigeria’s preliminary 30 man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.