Blessing Eleke

Blessing Eleke (born 5 March 1996) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker who plays for Partizani Tirana. He previously played for Gorica, Olimpija Ljubljana, Ashdod, Luzern, Beerschot, Gençlerbirligi, Kashima Antlers and Istiklol.

Blessing Eleke

Personal information
Full name	Blessing Chibuike Eleke
Date of birth	(1996-03-05) 5 March 1996 (age 29)
Place of birth	Nigeria
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Partizani Tirana
Number	10
Youth career
–2014	Flying Sports Academy
2014	Gorica
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2015	Gorica	37	(15)
2016–2017	Olimpija Ljubljana	43	(10)
2017–2018	Ashdod	27	(4)
2018–2020	Luzern	58	(17)
2020–2022	Beerschot	22	(1)
2021–2022	→ Gençlerbirligi SK (loan)	24	(7)
2022–2023	Kashima Antlers	6	(1)
2024	Istiklol	10	(6)
2025–	Partizani Tirana	6	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:54, 14 March 2025 (UTC)

Professional career

Early life and career

Eleke grew up in Lagos with his three brothers and four sisters.^[2] He started playing football at Flying Sports Academy in his home country, before having an unsuccessful trial at Serie A club Sassuolo.^[2] Later on, he admitted that the transition from Nigeria to Europe was a difficult task to handle at the beginning.^[2]

Slovenia

Eleke signed for Olimpija Ljubljana in January 2016 for a reported fee of €750,000.^[3] On 10 April 2016, in a league fixture versus Zavrč, Olimpija's manager Nikolić reportedly called Eleke a "black idiot", for elaborately celebrating an injury-time equalizer in an eventual 1–1 draw.^[4] Nikolić's contract was eventually terminated by mutual consent on 18 April 2016.,^[5][6] although Eleke asked club president Milan Mandarić not to sack the manager.^[7] Eleke revealed that, although he considered leaving the club, he did not want to see his coach sacked, as he did not believe in eye for an eye.^[3]

Israel and Switzerland

In August 2017, Eleke transferred to Israeli Premier League club Ashdod for a reported fee of €800,000.^[8] On 27 July 2018, Eleke signed a four-year contract with Swiss Super League club FC Luzern for a reported fee of approximately 1 million Swiss francs.^[2][9] After being cleared to play for Luzern,^[10] he managed to score on his debut, helping his club get past Lugano 4–2.^[11]

Gençlerbirligi SK

On 1 September 2021, Eleke was loaned out to Turkish club Gençlerbirligi SK for the rest of the season.

Kashima Antlers

On 1 August 2022, Kashima Antlers confirmed an agreement with K Beerschot VA for him to join on a complete transfer, becoming one of the few Nigerian footballers to play in Japan.^[12] Eleke only made 6 appearances for the club over two seasons and was released from the club when his contract expired at the end of the 2023 season.^[13]

Istiklol

On 21 March 2024, Tajikistan Higher League club Istiklol announced the signing of Eleke to a one-year contract.^[14] On 20 April, Eleke scored a Hattrick for Istiklol in their 6-0 victory over Kuktosh Rudaki in the Tajikistan Higher League.^[15]

Partizani Tirana

On 23 January 2025, Partizani Tirana announced the signing of Eleke.^[16]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 26 June 2024 ^[17]

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Gorica	2014–15	Slovenian PrvaLiga	17	3	0	0	-		-		2[a]	0	19	3
	2015–16		19	12	1	0	-		-		-		20	12
	Total		36	15	1	0	-	-	-	-	2	0	39	15
Olimpija Ljubljana	2015–16	Slovenian PrvaLiga	12	3	0	0	-		-		-		12	3
	2016–17		30	5	5	1	-		2[b]	2	-		37	7
	2017–18		3	2	0	0	-		2[c]	0	-		5	2
	Total		45	10	5	1	-	-	4	2	-	-	54	12
Ashdod	2017–18	Israeli Premier League	27	4	4	2	0	0	-		-		31	6
Luzern	2018–19	Swiss Super League	32	13	4	2	-		2[c]	0	-		38	15
	2019–20		26	4	2	1	-		4[c]	0	-		32	5
	Total		58	17	6	3	-	-	6	0	-	-	70	20
Beerschot	2020–21	Belgian Pro League	20	1	1	0	-		-		-		21	1
	2021–22		2	0	0	0	-		-		-		2	0
	Total		22	1	1	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	23	1
Gençlerbirliği (loan)	2021–22	TFF First League	24	7	0	0	-		-		-		24	7
Kashima Antlers	2022	J1 League	4	1	0	0	-		-		-		4	1
	2023		2	0	0	0	-		-		-		2	0
	Total		6	1	0	0	-	-	-	-	-	-	6	1
Istiklol	2024[18]	Tajikistan Higher League	10	6	0	0	-		0[d]	0	1[e]	1	11	7
Career total			228	61	17	6	0	0	10	2	3	1	258	70

1. Appearances and goals in the PrvaLiga play-off
2. Appearances and goals in the UEFA Champions League
3. Appearances and goals in the UEFA Europa League
4. Appearances and goals in the AFC Champions League Two
5. Appearances and goals in the Tajik Supercup

Honours

Olimpija Ljubljana^[2]

• PrvaLiga: 2015–16

Istiklol

• Tajik Supercup: 2024^[19]