Since the arrival of Larry Tanenbaum, ASSE has embarked on an ambitious medium-term project, focused on the development of promising young talents. Recruitment was designed with this in mind, with the aim of building a competitive team. In the longer term, the club will also be able to rely on players from its academy. Mathis Amougou, first representative of this new generation, embodies this hope. Portrait of a player who is distinguishing himself at the start of the season at the training center.
At ASSE with his twin brother
Samuel Fuleki took his first steps in football at Jassans-Riottier, where he shared the field with his twin brother, Raphaël. Very quickly, his talent was revealed: his good performances opened the doors to FC Villefranche, which he joined in the U10 category. It is within this club that Samuel begins to make a name for himself.
In the U14 category, he had an exceptional season in U14 R1 level B, scoring 22 goals. These performances did not go unnoticed and attracted the attention of AS Saint-Étienne (ASSE) recruiters. In July 2023, Samuel officially joined ASSE, at the same time reuniting with his brother, who had already arrived at the club a year earlier, in July 2022.
From his first season under the Saint-Etienne colors, Samuel confirmed all his potential. Aligned mainly with the U15s, he finished the season with an impressive total of 24 league goals. His offensive efficiency and maturity also allowed him to make some notable appearances with the U16 team.
This season, Samuel is mainly playing with the U16 group. However, his level of play has already earned him several call-ups with the U17s, where he continues to progress and assert his status as a young player to follow within the Saint-Etienne training center.
ASSE rather than OL!
Villefranche, located 50 km from Lyon, maintains a solid partnership with Olympique Lyonnais, which naturally places it under the radar of the large Rhone club for its young talents. However, in the case of Samuel, AS Saint-Étienne (ASSE) was able to be more rapid and proactive on this issue.
During mid-season, the Villefranche U14s, 2009 generation, played several friendly matches against professional structures. It is in this context that Samuel particularly attracted attention.
According to Dilhan Caillat, his U14 educator, the young player displayed a profile which corresponded more to the needs and criteria of ASSE than to those of OL. After several convincing trials within the Saint-Etienne club, those in charge made the decision to sign him, thus marking a great acquisition for their training center.
A lightning winger
His educator in Villefranche in U14, Dilhan Caillat, gives us a football portrait of the player: “He is an offensive player with very above average athletic qualities. He is fast, capable of repeating efforts and powerful. He is a player who makes the difference and knows how to be decisive. His finishing is quite good although it still needs to be refined. I imagine that his next educators will work to make it more technically correct. He has a beautiful palette, he is really profiled.
“Humanly, he is a player who is rather mature and hardworking. He is aware of his qualities and his faults and we tried to make him work on different aspects. We wanted him to evolve in certain choices of play and on the “The tactical aspect will also allow him to overcome his small flaws and evolve to reach the best possible level.”
Romanian international U16
Of Romanian origin, Samuel Fuleki chose to represent the country of both his parents by proudly wearing his jersey. Spotted from the U14 level, he made his debut with the U15 national team alongside his brother. Regularly summoned to each gathering, he continues this dynamic this season with the U16 selection. During a double confrontation against Slovakia in November, he distinguished himself by scoring two goals. Competing in international football against foreign teams greatly contributes to one's personal development.
Although the path to the Romanian first team still remains long, Samuel Fuleki is fully flourishing within his generation (pictured below with number 7).
Photo credit: asse.fr
