Michael Folorunsho Explained

Michael Folorunsho
Full Name:Michael Ijemuan Folorunsho
Birth Date:7 February 1998
Birth Place:Rome, Italy
Height:1.90 m[1]
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Napoli
Clubnumber:90
Youthclubs1:Tor Sapienza
Youthyears2:–2014
Youthclubs2:Savio
Youthyears3:2014–2017
Youthclubs3:Lazio
Years1:2017–2019
Caps1:61
Goals1:8
Years2:2019–
Clubs2:Napoli
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2019–2020
Clubs3:Bari (loan)
Caps3:12
Goals3:0
Years4:2020–2021
Clubs4:Reggina (loan)
Caps4:30
Goals4:6
Years5:2021–2022
Clubs5:Pordenone (loan)
Caps5:16
Goals5:2
Years6:2022
Clubs6:Reggina (loan)
Caps6:15
Goals6:2
Years7:2022–2023
Clubs7:Bari (loan)
Caps7:27
Goals7:8
Years8:2023–2024
Clubs8:Hellas Verona (loan)
Caps8:34
Goals8:5
Nationalyears1:2024–
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:20 May 2024
Nationalteam-Update:15 June 2024

Michael Ijemuan Folorunsho (born 7 February 1998) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Napoli and the Italy national team.

Club career

Folorunsho spent his youth years with Lazio and played for their Under-19 squad. On 18 July 2017, he signed with Serie C club Virtus Francavilla.[2] Folorunsho made his professional Serie C debut for Virtus Francavilla on 26 August 2017, in a game against Lecce.[3] He played 60 Serie C games for Virtus Francavilla in the two seasons.

On 13 July 2019, Folorunsho signed for Serie A club Napoli on a permanent deal.[4] He was sent on loan two days later to Serie C club Bari for two years.[5] Napoli sent Folorunsho on loan to several clubs in the Serie B: Reggina in 2020–21,[6] Pordenone[7] and Reggina[8] in 2021–22, and Bari in 2022–23.[9]

On 16 August 2023, Folorunsho agreed to join Serie A club Hellas Verona on loan for the duration of the 2023–24 season.[10]

International career

In March 2024, Folorunsho received his first call-up to play for Italian senior squad from head coach Luciano Spalletti.[11] [12] However, he remained on the bench during friendly games with Venezuela and Ecuador played in the United States. Later that year, on 6 June, Folorunsho was included in the Italian squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.[13] On 9 June, he debuted in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Stadio Carlo Castellani, coming as a substitute to goalscorer Davide Frattesi in the 76th minute as Italy won 1–0.[14]

Personal life

Folorunsho is of Nigerian descent.[15]

Career statistics

Club

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueCupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lazio2016–17Serie A000000
Virtus Francavilla2017–18Serie C2812010311
2018–19Serie C3171030357
Total5983040668
Napoli2019–20Serie A000000
Bari (loan)2019–20Serie C1200030150
Reggina (loan)2020–21Serie B30620326
Pordenone (loan)2021–22Serie B16211173
Reggina (loan)2021–22Serie B152152
Bari (loan)2022–23Serie B2782130329
Hellas Verona (loan)2023–24Serie A34500345
Career total193318210021133

International

[16]

Honours

Individual

February 2024[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: | Hellas Verona Official Website. Hellas Verona FC. 17 June 2024.
  2. Michael Ijemuan Folorunsho è un nuovo calciatore della Virtus Francavilla Calcio. Virtus Francavilla. 18 July 2017. it.
  3. Web site: Virtus Francavilla v Lecce game report. Soccerway. 26 August 2017.
  4. Michael Folorunsho ceduto all'SSC Napoli. 13 July 2019. Virtus Francavilla. it.
  5. Benvenuti Costa e Folorunsho. Bari. 15 July 2019. it.
  6. Michael Folorunsho è un calciatore amaranto. Reggina. 16 September 2020. 17 September 2020. it.
  7. "The Mask" Folorunsho Top Player della B 20/21 è Neroverde!. Pordenone. 10 August 2021. it.
  8. Michael Folorunsho torna in Amaranto. Reggina. 31 January 2022. 31 January 2022. it.
  9. Web site: Bentornato Michael Folorunsho!. Bari Calcio. 26 July 2022. it.
  10. Web site: Michael Folorunsho is a new Hellas Verona player. Hellas Verona. 16 August 2023. 17 August 2023.
  11. Web site: 28 players called up for the friendlies with Venezuela and Ecuador: Bellanova, Folorunsho, and Lucca the newcomers. Italian Football Federation. 15 March 2024.
  12. Web site: Spalletti's three new players' Azzurri CV. Bellanova from the U15s to the senior side. Italian Football Federation. 16 March 2024.
  13. Web site: Ufficializzati i convocati per EURO 2024, esclusi dalla lista Provedel, Ricci e Orsolini. EURO 2024 squad made official, Provedel, Ricci and Orsolini excluded from the list . Italian Football Federation. 6 June 2024 . 6 June 2024. it.
  14. News: Italia 1–0 Bosnia: Stop e tiro al volo di Scamacca che sfiora il raddoppio. subscription. Il Messaggero. 9 June 2024. it. Dentro Folorunsho (debutto in Nazionale) e Raspadori che prendono il posto di Frattesi e Chiesa al minuto 77'.. Folorunsho, who debuted for the national team, and Raspadori, replace Frattesi and Chiesa in the 77th minute..
  15. Web site: Alessia. Di Matteo. Michael Folorunsho biografia: chi è, età, altezza, peso, tatuaggi, figli, moglie, carriera, Instagram e vita privata . Spettegolando. 25 July 2022. 12 December 2022. it.
  16. Web site: Convocazioni e presenze in campo: Michael Folorunsho Ijemua. Italian Football Federation. 26 May 2023. 17 June 2024. it.
  17. News: Michael Folorunsho Wins February's Goal of the Month Presented by Crypto.com. Serie A. 6 March 2024.