Calvin Bassey has gradually established himself in the Super Eagles squad, a team widely regarded by many football aficionados as one of the most talented collections of African footballers assembled under national colours.
In this article, we explore the career and qualities of Calvin Bassey, the versatile powerhouse who has won the hearts of the Nigerian football community, Fulham fans, and all who have had the pleasure of watching him play.
How old is Calvin Bassey?
Born in Aosta, Italy, on December 31, 1999, the Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey is 25 years old at the time of writing.
What is Calvin Bassey’s full name?
Calvin Ughelumba Bassey was born to Nigerian parents, Kingsley Ikena Ughelumba and Ebere Bassey Etim, who migrated to Italy in search of better opportunities.
What is Calvin Bassey’s height?
Standing at 1.85m (6 ft 1 in), Calvin Bassey possesses an imposing physical presence, making him a formidable force in both defensive and aerial duels.
Bassey’s early life story and club career
Born in Italy and raised in England, Calvin Bassey holds Nigerian-Italian nationality and is of Igbo ethnicity. His father, Kingsley, hails from Umunnamehi Ihiala in Anambra State, while his mother, Ebere, is from Oron in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Bassey pursued his early education at Rokeby School in London, an all-boys institution offering the IGCSE curriculum. Raised in Newham, a borough of London, a young Calvin Bassey began his footballing journey at CrownPro Elite Football Academy before further developing his skills at CM Futsal Academy.
It was at these grassroots institutions that the towering defender refined his game before earning a move to Leicester City's academy at the age of 15.
Joining Rangers from Leicester City in the summer of 2020, Calvin Bassey quickly integrated into the squad after signing a pre-contract with the Scottish giants on 6 June. He made his professional debut on 9 August 2020, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 Scottish Premiership victory over St Mirren.
During his two-year stint at Ibrox, Bassey played a pivotal role in Rangers' domestic and European campaigns. He netted his first and only goal for the club in a commanding 4-0 Scottish League Cup win over Falkirk.
His standout performances were instrumental in Rangers' remarkable run to the 2022 UEFA Europa League final, where they narrowly lost to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties. His time at Rangers not only solidified his reputation as a versatile and dependable defender but also set the stage for the next chapter of his career.
In July 2022, Rangers confirmed the sale of Calvin Bassey to Ajax for a club-record fee of approximately £20 million, marking a significant milestone in his career.
His debut for the Dutch giants came in the 2022 Johan Cruyff Shield on 31 July, but it was far from ideal, as he received a straight red card just 15 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Despite spending only one season in Amsterdam, Bassey gained valuable experience in the Eredivisie and European competitions before moving on to his next challenge.
In the summer of 2023, Fulham secured the signing of Calvin Bassey from Ajax for a transfer fee of €21 million. The Nigerian defender committed to a contract running until the summer of 2027, with the club holding an option to extend his stay by an additional 12 months.
Bassey’s international career
Bassey pledged his international allegiance to Nigeria in 2021, accepting a call-up for the Super Eagles' 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He made his debut on 25 March 2022 in a goalless draw against Ghana.
Since then, the versatile defender has earned 29 caps for Nigeria, establishing himself as a key figure in the national team setup.
What is Calvin Bassey’s market value and salary?
As of March 2025, Calvin Bassey’s market value is estimated at €25 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Meanwhile, Salary Sport reports that the Fulham defender earns £47,000 per week, amounting to an annual salary of £2,444,000. His net worth is currently valued at £7,080,320.
Does Calvin Bassey have siblings?
Bassey comes from a close-knit family and has three brothers—Matthew, Elvis, and Michael. While little is publicly known about them, Matthew is reportedly a rapper based in the UK, performing under the stage name YCB.
Frequently asked questions about Calvin Bassey
Was Calvin Bassey born and raised in Nigeria? No. Bassey was born in Italy but raised in the United Kingdom.
Are Calvin Bassey’s parents Nigerians? Yes. Bassey’s parents are Nigerians. His fatherKingsley Ikena Ughelumba hails from Umunnamehi Ihiala in Anambra State, while his mother Ebere Bassey Etim is from Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
How much is Calvin Bassey’s salary per week? At present, Bassey earns £47,000 per week.
