Samu Castillejo

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Castillejo and the second or maternal family name is Azuaga.
Samu Castillejo
File:Samu Castillejo in Milanello 2020 (cropped).jpg
Personal information
Full name Samuel Castillejo Azuaga
Date of birth (1995-01-18) 18 January 1995 (age 31)[1]
Place of birth Barcelona, Spain
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position Winger
Team information
Current team
 Johor Darul Ta'zim
Number 70
Youth career
2004–2006 Explanada FS
2006–2007 UD Mortadelo
2007–2012 Málaga
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 Málaga B 75 (22)
2014–2015 Málaga 34 (1)
2015–2018 Villarreal 91 (9)
2018–2022 AC Milan 86 (7)
2022–2024 Valencia 25 (4)
2023–2024 → Sassuolo (loan) 17 (0)
2025– Johor Darul Ta'zim 3 (0)
International career
2011 Spain U16 6 (2)
2011–2012 Spain U17 9 (0)
2015 Spain U21 4 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 28 August 2025

Samuel "Samu" Castillejo Azuaga (born 18 January 1995) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a winger for Malaysia Super League club Johor Darul Ta'zim.

Club career

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Málaga

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Castillejo was born in Barcelona, Catalonia where his father, a Guardia Civil officer, was stationed at the time; the family resettled in Málaga, Andalusia within a few months.[2] He graduated from Málaga CF's youth system, made his senior debut with the reserves in 2011 aged only 16, and went on to play three full seasons in Tercera División. He was given the nickname El Fideo ("the noodle" in Spanish), due to his "wiry frame and ability to squirm away in tight spaces".[3]

In June 2014, Castillejo was called up by first-team manager Javi Gracia for the pre-season. He was named player of the match in a 3–1 friendly win against Newcastle United where he scored twice.[4] He was promoted to the main squad the following month.[5]

Castillejo made his debut with the first team on 29 August 2014, coming on as a substitute for fellow youth graduate Juanmi in the 57th minute of a 3–0 La Liga away loss to Valencia CF.[6] He scored his first professional goal on 2 February, the winner in a home victory over the same opposition.[7]

Villarreal

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Castillejo joined Villarreal CF on 18 June 2015 alongside his Málaga teammate Samu García, signing a five-year deal.[8] He scored six times in his third season, helping his team to qualify for the UEFA Europa League after a fifth-place finish.[9]

AC Milan

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Castillejo signed with AC Milan on 17 August 2018, with Carlos Bacca moving in the opposite direction.[10][11] He made his Serie A debut on 31 August, starting in the 2–1 victory over AS Roma at San Siro.[12] He scored his first goal for the club on 30 September, in a 4–1 away defeat of US Sassuolo Calcio.[13]

During the summer 2021 transfer window, following a lacklustre season, Castillejo was a priority sale; despite a number of offers, he and his agent failed to agree on a particular one.[14][15] He was omitted from a 25-player squad list for the UEFA Champions League.[16]

Valencia

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On 12 July 2022, Castillejo signed a three-year contract with Valencia.[17] He scored his first goal for the side on 4 September, the third in an eventual 5–1 home win over Getafe CF.[18]

On 1 September 2023, the last day of the summer transfer window, Castillejo moved to Sassuolo on loan with an option to buy.[19] In August 2024, he was fired by Valencia after failing to reach a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.[20]

Later career

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On 27 February 2025, Castillejo joined Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. of the Malaysian Super League.[21]

Style of play

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Castillejo plays mainly as a winger on either side of the pitch, although he relies mostly on his stronger left foot.[22][23] He also plays occasionally as a supporting striker or a false 9.[24][25]

Personal life

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In June 2020, Castillejo was robbed of his watch at gunpoint in Milan.[26] On 1 November 2024 his 28-year-old brother José, who played youth football for Valencia, was confirmed a casualty in the Spain floods.[27]

Career statistics

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As of match played 1 April 2024[28]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Málaga 2014–15 La Liga 34 1 5 0 — — 39 1
Villarreal 2015–16 La Liga 28 1 4 0 13[a] 1 — 45 2
2016–17 La Liga 33 2 3 1 8[b] 0 — 44 3
2017–18 La Liga 30 6 3 0 5[a] 0 — 38 6
Total 91 9 10 1 26 1 0 0 127 12
AC Milan 2018–19 Serie A 31 4 4 0 4[a] 0 1[c] 0 40 4
2019–20 Serie A 22 2 3 1 — — 25 3
2020–21 Serie A 28 1 2 0 13[a] 2 — 43 3
2021–22 Serie A 5 0 0 0 0 0 — 5 0
Total 86 7 9 1 17 2 1 0 113 10
Valencia 2022–23 La Liga 25 4 1 0 — 0 0 26 4
Sassuolo (loan) 2023–24 Serie A 17 0 2 0 — — 19 0
Career total 253 21 27 2 43 3 1 0 324 26
  1. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana

Honours

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AC Milan

References

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