Luca Koleosho

Luca Warrick Daeovie Koleosho (born September 15, 2004) is a professional association footballer who plays as a winger for La Liga club RCD Espanyol and their second team Espanyol B in the Segunda Federación. Born in the United States, he is currently a youth international for Italy.

Luca Koleosho
Personal information
Full name Luca Warrick Daeovie Koleosho
Date of birth (2004-09-15) September 15, 2004
Place of birth Norwalk, Connecticut, United States
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Espanyol B
Number 29
Youth career
2011–2012 Trumbull United
2012–2016 Manhattan Kickers
2016–2020 Reus
2020–2022 Espanyol
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Espanyol B 14 (2)
2022– Espanyol 4 (0)
International career‡
2019 United States U15 4 (0)
2023– Italy U19 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 14, 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of March 29, 2023

Early life

Koleosho began playing soccer with his local soccer club Trumbull United at the age of 7.[1] Afterwards, he played for the Manhattan Kickers from age 7 to 11.[2] After two trips to Spain with the Kickers, his parents decided to help him develop in Spain.[1][3] In 2016, he joined the youth academy of Reus, before moving to the Espanyol youth system in 2020.[4][5] Working his way up their youth sides, he signed his first professional contract with Espanyol on June 2, 2021, keeping him at the club for 3 additional seasons.[6] In 2022, he helped the Espanyol U19 reach the Copa del Rey Juvenil final, where they were defeated by Real Madrid.[7]

Club career

He debuted at the senior level with Espanyol B in the fourth tier Segunda División RFEF during the 2021-22 season.[7] He made his first start on October 8, 2022, and scored his first goal against RCD Mallorca B.[8][9]

He made his first team debut with Espanyol in a 0–0 La Liga tie with Granada on May 22, 2022, coming as a late substitute in the 90th minute.[10]

International career

Koleosho is eligible to represent the United States, Canada, Nigeria, and Italy, as he was born and raised in the United States to a Nigerian father and an Italian-Canadian mother.[11]

United States

In August 2019, Koleosho appeared with the United States U15 team, making four appearances.[12][13] In April 2022, Koleosho was called up to a United States under-20 training camp in Carson, California.[14] After his call-up to Canada's senior side in June 2022, Koleosho confirmed he had not closed the door on representing the United States.[7]

Canada

Koleosho was called up to the Canada senior national team for a friendly and two CONCACAF Nations League matches in June 2022.[15] He departed the camp after the cancellation of the Iran friendly and the subsequent cancellation of the replacement Panama friendly.[16] In September 2022, Koleosho was re-called to Canada ahead of friendlies against Qatar and Uruguay.[17][18]

Italy

In March 2023, Koleosho accepted a call-up to the Italy under-19 national team, joining a training camp in preparation to the Elite round of the qualifications to the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[19] He was subsequently included in the 20-men squad that took part in the aforementioned round.[20][21] He debuted with them as a late substitute in a 0–0 friendly tie with Slovenia U19 on March 25.[22]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played May 14, 2023[23]
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
RCD Espanyol B 2021–22 Segunda División RFEF 20–––20
2022–23 Segunda Federación 122–––122
Total 142–––142
RCD Espanyol 2021–22 La Liga 1000––10
2022–23 3010––40
Total 4010000050
Career total 182100000192

    References
    1. Sciaretta, Brian (November 30, 2021). "Luca Koleosho progressing at Espanyol, aiming for big steps in 2022". American Soccer Now.
    2. Kloke, Joshua (September 22, 2022). "Luca Koleosho's Canada role could progress like his career has: quickly". The Athletic.
    3. "Alumni Updates". Manhatten Kickers.
    4. Vertelney, Seth (May 27, 2022). "Who is Luca Koleosho? Teenage La Liga debutant in tug-of-war between USMNT and Canada". Pro Soccer Wire.
    5. Gangué-Ruzic, Alexandre (May 26, 2022). "Who is Luca Koleosho? A deep dive on the CanMNT's newest call-up". OneSoccer.
    6. "Luca Warrick renova tres temporades" [Luca Warrick renews for three seasons]. RCD Espanyol (in Spanish).
    7. Marsden, Sam; Llorens, Moises (May 26, 2022). "Luca Koleosho hasn't closed the door on USMNT despite Canada call-up - source". ESPN.
    8. Fanio, Carlos (October 8, 2022). "RCD Mallorca B – Espanyol B: Victoria corta para un filial muy maduro (0-2)" [RCD Mallorca B – Espanyol B: Short victory for a very mature subsidiary (0-2)]. La Grada Online (in Spanish).
    9. Fanio, Carlos (October 25, 2022). "Luca Koleosho sigue arrastrando molestias en el tobillo" [Luca Koleosho continues to drag discomfort in the ankle]. La Grada Online (in Spanish).
    10. Wassink, Zac. "Luca Koleosho could still join USMNT despite Canada call-up?". MSN.
    11. Davidson, Neil (September 25, 2022). "Teenager Luca Koleosho has international options, but enjoys time in Canada's camp". Toronto Star.
    12. "U.S.-Born Espanyol Winger Luca Koleosho Accepts Canada Call-Up". Sports Bonanza. May 27, 2022.
    13. "U.S. U-15 Boys National Team roster announced for Italy trip". Soccer Wire. April 23, 2019.
    14. "Varas calls 22 players for U-20 men's youth national training camp in Carson, Calif". US Soccer Federation.
    15. Becherano, Lizzy (May 27, 2022). "Luca Koleosho accepts CanMNT call-up - but remains eligible for USMNT". 90min.
    16. Galindo, Peter. "Canadian men's team players still seeking transparency as they prepare for Curacao". Sportsnet.
    17. "Luca Koleosho y Nabil, convocados con sus selecciones" [Luca Koleosho and Nabil called up with their national teams]. RCD Espanyol (in Spanish). September 25, 2022.
    18. "Uncapped Waterman, Koleosho head to CanMNT". TSN. September 20, 2022.
    19. "I convocati del raduno prima della partenza per la fase élite in Germania" [The squad for the rally before the departure for the elite stage in Germany]. FIGC (in Italian). February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
    20. "Fase élite. A caccia dell'Europeo: lunedì partenza per Brema. I 20 Azzurrini convocati da Bollini" [Elite stage. Hunting for the European Championship: Monday departure for Bremen. The 20 players called up by Bollini]. FIGC (in Italian). March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
    21. Distaso, Andrea (March 29, 2023). "Quattro passaporti, tre nazionali, un futuro tra Under 19 e mercato: Italia, ecco Koleosho" [Four passports, three national teams, a future between the Under 19s and the transfer market: Italy, here is Koleosho]. Calcio Mercato (in Italian).
    22. Herman, Rose (March 26, 2023). "Luca Koleosho and his unique record". Today Times Live.
    23. Luca Koleosho at Soccerway
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