# 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.

## Professional career
### Early life and career

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

### Slovenia

Eleke signed for Olimpija Ljubljana in January 2016 for a reported fee of €750,000. 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. Nikolić's contract was eventually terminated by mutual consent on 18 April 2016., although Eleke asked club president Milan Mandarić not to sack the manager. 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.

### Israel and Switzerland

In August 2017, Eleke transferred to Israeli Premier League club Ashdod for a reported fee of €800,000. 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. After being cleared to play for Luzern, he managed to score on his debut, helping his club get past Lugano 4–2.

### 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. 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.

### Istiklol

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

### Partizani Tirana

On 23 January 2025, Partizani Tirana announced the signing of Eleke.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 26 June 2024
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Gorica | 2014–15 | Slovenian PrvaLiga | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 | 19 | 3 |
| Gorica | 2015–16 | Slovenian PrvaLiga | 19 | 12 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 20 | 12 |
| Gorica | Total | Total | 36 | 15 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 | 39 | 15 |
| Olimpija Ljubljana | 2015–16 | Slovenian PrvaLiga | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 12 | 3 |
| Olimpija Ljubljana | 2016–17 | Slovenian PrvaLiga | 30 | 5 | 5 | 1 | - | - | 2 | 2 | - | - | 37 | 7 |
| Olimpija Ljubljana | 2017–18 | Slovenian PrvaLiga | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | - | - | 5 | 2 |
| Olimpija Ljubljana | Total | 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 | 0 | - | - | 38 | 15 |
| Luzern | 2019–20 | Swiss Super League | 26 | 4 | 2 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 0 | - | - | 32 | 5 |
| Luzern | Total | Total | 58 | 17 | 6 | 3 | - | - | 6 | 0 | - | - | 70 | 20 |
| Beerschot | 2020–21 | Belgian Pro League | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 21 | 1 |
| Beerschot | 2021–22 | Belgian Pro League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 |
| Beerschot | Total | 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 |
| Kashima Antlers | 2023 | J1 League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 |
| Kashima Antlers | Total | Total | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 1 |
| Istiklol | 2024 | Tajikistan Higher League | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 7 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 228 | 61 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 258 | 70 |
* ↑ Appearances and goals in the PrvaLiga play-off
* ↑ Appearances and goals in the UEFA Champions League
* 1 2 3 Appearances and goals in the UEFA Europa League
* ↑ Appearances and goals in the AFC Champions League Two
* ↑ Appearances and goals in the Tajik Supercup

## Honours

Olimpija Ljubljana
* PrvaLiga: 2015–16
Istiklol
* Tajik Supercup: 2024