Calvin Bassey
{{Short description|Nigerian footballer (born 1999)}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Calvin Bassey
| image = GAE - Ajax - 52788531068 (Calvin Bassey).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Bassey with Ajax in 2023
| full_name = Calvin Chinedu Bassey{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/rangers-sign-defender-calvin-bassey-from-leicester-1591464270000|title=Rangers sign defender Calvin Bassey from Leicester|date=6 June 2020|accessdate=6 June 2020|publisher=FourFourTwo}}
| birth_name = Calvin Chinedu Ughelumba{{cite web |title=Aspire Academy Tri-Series Season 2016–17 |url=https://www.aspire.qa/docs/TRI-SERIES-Yearbook-2016-2017.pdf |website=Aspire Academy |access-date=8 March 2025}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|12|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = Aosta, Italy
| position = Left-back, centre-back
| currentclub = Fulham
| clubnumber = 3
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = CM Futsal Academy
| youthyears2 = 2015–2020
| youthclubs2 = Leicester City
| years1 = 2020–2022
| clubs1 = Rangers
| caps1 = 37
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2022–2023
| clubs2 = Ajax
| caps2 = 25
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2023–
| clubs3 = Fulham
| caps3 = 64
| goals3 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2022–
| nationalteam1 = Nigeria
| nationalcaps1 = 31
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}
{{medal|Country|{{fb|NGA}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|Africa Cup of Nations|}}
{{Medal|RU|2023 Ivory Coast|}}
| club-update = 16:58, 18 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 23:48, 25 March 2025 (UTC)
}}
Calvin Chinedu Bassey {{post-nominals|country=NGA|MON|post-noms=}} ({{né|Ughelumba}}, born 31 December 1999) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a left-back or a centre-back for {{English football updater|Fulham}} club Fulham. Born in Italy, he plays for the Nigeria national team.
Bassey was a product of Leicester City's youth system but did not make a senior appearance for the club before joining Rangers on a free transfer in July 2020. He made 65 appearances over two seasons for Rangers and won the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup. In July 2022, he signed for Dutch club Ajax, with Rangers receiving the highest transfer fee in their history. The following July, he signed for English club Fulham.
Club career
=Leicester City=
Bassey joined Leicester City at the age of 15 after a successful trial{{cite web|url=https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-west-ham-submit-bid-for-leicester-city-rising-star|title=Exclusive: West Ham submit bid for Leicester City rising star|date=30 January 2020|accessdate=6 June 2020|publisher=Football Insider}} and progressed through the club's youth ranks, with regular appearances for the clubs' under-18 and under-23 sides.
=Rangers=
On 6 June 2020, Bassey signed a pre-contract with Rangers,{{cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/1678321/youngster-calvin-bassey-agrees-precontract-with-rangers/press-release |title=Youngster Calvin Bassey Agrees Pre-Contract With Rangers |date=6 June 2020 |accessdate=6 June 2020 |publisher=Leicester City FC}} officially joining the club with the opening of the summer transfer window in July. On 9 August 2020, he made his professional debut for Rangers in a Scottish Premiership match versus St Mirren as a substitute in a 3–0 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53626123 |title=Rangers 3–0 St Mirren |date=9 August 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}
He scored his first and only goal for the club in a 4–0 win against Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup.
Bassey was a key figure for Rangers during their run to the 2022 UEFA Europa League Final, which they lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61501029 |title=Calvin Bassey: Rangers defender's journey from fringe player to Europa League 'colossus' |website=BBC Sport |first=Thomas |last=Duncan |date=15 July 2022 |accessdate=17 July 2022}}
=Ajax=
In July 2022, it was confirmed by Rangers that Bassey had been sold to Ajax for a club record fee of around £20 million.{{Cite web |title=Calvin Bassey Joins Ajax In Club Record Transfer |url=https://www.rangers.co.uk/Article/calvin-bassey-joins-ajax-in-club-record-transfer/7xwcTEGC1voIGa4oH1ADB2 |access-date=2022-07-20 |website=rangers.co.uk }}{{cite news|title=Rangers sell defender Calvin Bassey to Ajax for club record fee |url=https://news.stv.tv/sport/rangers-sell-nigeria-international-calvin-bassey-to-ajax-for-club-record-fee |first=Andy |last=Coyle |access-date=20 July 2022 |work=STV Sport|date=20 July 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Ajax and Rangers FC reach agreement for Calvin Bassey |url=https://english.ajax.nl/articles/ajax-and-rangers-fc-reach-agreement-for-calvin-bassey/ |access-date=2022-07-20 |website=AFC Ajax}} On his debut for the club in the 2022 Johan Cruyff Shield (Dutch Super Cup) on 31 July 2022, he received a direct red card 15 minutes after coming on as a substitute.[https://www.news9live.com/sports/football/psv-down-ajax-to-lift-dutch-super-cup-186216 PSV down Ajax to lift Dutch Super Cup], News 9 Live, 31 July 2022
=Fulham=
On 28 July 2023, Bassey joined Premier League club Fulham on a four-year deal.{{cite web |title=Fulham sign Bassey |url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/july/28/fulham-sign-bassey/ |publisher=Fulham Football Club |access-date=28 July 2023 |date=28 July 2023 }} Fulham paid Ajax a transfer fee of €21 million.{{cite news |title=Fulham confirm Calvin Bassey signing from Ajax in €21m transfer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4723195/2023/07/28/calvin-bassey-fulham-transfer/ |website=theathletic.com |date=28 July 2023 |access-date=28 July 2023}}
On 24 February 2024, Bassey scored his first goal for Fulham, the first of his two goals for the club, in a Premier League game against Manchester United in a 2–1 away win. That being his 20th appearance for the club. Bassey finished the Premier League season with 29 appearances.
International career
Born in Italy,{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11788/12001929/rangers-agree-four-year-deal-with-leicester-youngster-calvin-bassey|title=Rangers agree four-year deal with Leicester youngster Calvin Bassey|date=6 June 2020|access-date=6 June 2020|publisher=Sky Sports}} Bassey was eligible to play for Italy, Nigeria or England at international level.
In 2021, Bassey committed his international future to Nigeria when he accepted a call-up for their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.{{Cite web |title=Who is Calvin Bassey? Everything you need to know about the new Nigeria invitee |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/who-is-calvin-bassey-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the/vh82j7ej0tt215u1vhk73dl7f |access-date=6 October 2021 |website=Goal (website)}} He debuted with Nigeria in a 0–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification tie with Ghana on 25 March 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400228710|title=FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™|accessdate=19 February 2024}}
Personal life
Bassey was born in Italy to Nigerian parents, but moved to England as a child. He grew up in Newham. His brother is a UK famous rapper/driller named Y.CB{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-star-reveals-main-ambition-24651295|title=Rangers star says goal growing up was to 'move mum out the hood' |date=30 July 2021|website=Daily Record|access-date=19 February 2024}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 18 May 2025}}{{Soccerway|453322|Calvin Bassey|access-date=2 March 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Scottish Cup, FA Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Scottish League Cup, EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||||
| Division||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Leicester City U21
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|107783|2017|access-date=11 August 2021}} |colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|107783|2018|access-date=11 August 2021}}
|colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|107783|2019|access-date=11 August 2021}}
|colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Rangers
|2020–21{{soccerbase season|107783|2020|access-date=11 August 2021}} |8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 1 | |
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|107783|2021|access-date=21 May 2022}}
|Scottish Premiership |29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 15{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 50 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!37 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 19 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 65 | 1 | |
| Ajax
|25 | 1 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 8{{efn|Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=JCS|Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield}} | 0 | 39 | 1 | |
| rowspan="3"|Fulham
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|107783|2023|access-date=21 March 2024}} |29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 1 | ||
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|107783|2024|access-date=2 March 2025}}
|Premier League |35 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!64 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 69 | 3 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!126 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 27 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 184 | 5 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 25 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=Calvin Bassey Internationals |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/calvin-bassey/4/ |website=WorldFootball.net |date=12 December 2021 |access-date=13 February 2024}}{{NFT player}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| rowspan=4|Nigeria
|2022 | 8 | 0 |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 |
| 2024 | 14 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan=2|Total||31||0 |
|---|
Honours
Rangers
- Scottish Premiership: 2020–21{{cite news |title=Rangers top-flight champions for first time since 2011 after Celtic drop points |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56306235|work=BBC Sport|date=7 March 2021|access-date=7 March 2021}}
- Scottish Cup: 2021–22{{cite news |title=Rangers 2–0 Hearts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61447048|work=BBC Sport|date=21 May 2022|access-date=21 May 2022}}
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2021–22{{cite news |title=Eintracht Frankfurt 1–1 Rangers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61446268|work=BBC Sport|date=18 May 2022|access-date=18 May 2022}}
Ajax
- KNVB Cup runner-up: 2022–23{{cite web |date=30 April 2023 |title=PSV wint na strafschoppen van Ajax in bekerfinale vol irritaties en opstootjes |trans-title=PSV beats Ajax after penalty kicks in cup final full off irritations and fights |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2473413-psv-wint-na-strafschoppen-van-ajax-in-bekerfinale-vol-irritaties-en-opstootjes |access-date=10 May 2023 |language=nl}}
Nigeria
- Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2023{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Rob |date=11 February 2024 |title=Nigeria 1–2 Ivory Coast |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68196261 |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=BBC Sport}}
Individual
- UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2021–22{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0275-15302e8596b2-af02e3bfb7db-1000--2021-22-uefa-europa-league-team-of-the-season/|title=2021/22 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season|publisher=UEFA |date=20 May 2022 |access-date=20 May 2022}}
Orders
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.fulhamfc.com/players/calvin-bassey Calvin Bassey] at the Fulham F.C. website
- {{soccerbase|107783}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Fulham F.C. squad}}
{{Fulham F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Nigeria squad 2023 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bassey, Calvin}}
Category:Footballers from Aosta Valley
Category:Sportspeople from Aosta
Category:Nigerian men's footballers
Category:Nigeria men's international footballers
Category:Italian men's footballers
Category:Italian people of Nigerian descent
Category:Italian emigrants to the United Kingdom
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Italian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Scotland
Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in Scotland
Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:2023 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:Members of the Order of the Niger