Introduction
Samuel Castillejo Azuaga (born 18 January 1995) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a winger for Italian club A.C. Milan.
Club career
Málaga
Born in Málaga, Andalusia, Castillejo graduated from Málaga CF's youth system. He 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".
In June 2014, Castillejo was called up by first-team manager Javi Gracia for the pre-season. He was named man of the match in a 3–1 friendly win against Newcastle United where he scored twice. He was promoted to the main squad the following month.
On 29 August 2014, Castillejo made his debut with the first team, coming on as a substitute for fellow youth graduate Juanmi in the 57th minute of a 0–3 La Liga away loss against Valencia CF. He scored his first professional goal on 2 February, the winner in a home win over Valencia.
Villarreal
Castillejo joined Villarreal CF on 18 June 2015, signing a five-year deal, with his Málaga teammate Samu García. He scored six times in his third season, helping Villareal qualify for the UEFA Europa League after a fifth-place finish.
Milan
Castillejo signed with A.C. Milan on 17 August 2018, with Carlos Bacca moving in the opposite direction. He made his Serie A debut on 31 August, starting in the 2–1 win over A.S. Roma at San Siro. He scored his first goal for the club on 30 September, in a 4–1 away defeat of U.S. Sassuolo.
Style of play
Castillejo plays mainly as a winger on either side of the pitch, although he relies mostly on his stronger left foot. He also plays occasionally as a supporting striker or a false 9.
Personal life
In June 2020, Castillejo was robbed of his watch at gunpoint in Milan.
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 1 August 2020
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Málaga | 2014–15 | 34 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 1 | ||
| Villarreal | 2015–16 | 28 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 1 | — | 45 | 2 | |
| 2016–17 | 33 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 0 | — | 44 | 3 | ||
| 2017–18 | 30 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 38 | 6 | ||
| Total | 91 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 127 | 11 | |
| Milan | 2018–19 | 31 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 4 |
| 2019–20 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 3 | |
| Total | 53 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 65 | 7 | |
| Career total | 178 | 16 | 22 | 2 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 231 | 19 | |