Leo Duru
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Leonard Chibueze Duru | ||
| Date of birth | January 12, 2005 | ||
| Place of birth | Manchester, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Position | Right-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
San Diego (on loan from Blackburn Rovers) | ||
| Number | 3 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Manchester United | |||
| 2015–2024 | Blackburn Rovers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Blackburn Rovers | 1 | (0) |
| 2025 | → Barrow (loan) | 8 | (1) |
| 2025– | → San Diego FC (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2024– | United States U20 | 3 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 16:02, 22 October 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 14:49, October 14, 2024 (UTC) | |||
Leonard Chibueze Duru ⓘ (born January 12, 2005) is a professional soccer player who plays as a right-back for Major League Soccer club San Diego FC, on loan from EFL Championship club Blackburn Rovers. Born in England, he represents the United States at youth level.
Club career
Duru was part of the academy at Manchester United before joining Blackburn Rovers as a U10.[1] On July 7, 2021, he signed a scholarship contract with Blackburn and was promoted to their U23s.[2] He signed his first professional contract with the club for one year on May 25, 2023.[3] On May 13, 2024, he extended his contract again until 2026 with an option for another year.[4] He made his senior and professional debut with Blackburn in a 6–1 EFL Cup win over Stockport County on August 13, 2024.[5]
On January 9, 2025, Duru joined League Two side Barrow on loan for the remainder of the season.[6]
On August 20, 2025, Duru joined MLS side San Diego on loan.[7] The loan deal was reported as running until December with an option to extend until June 2026.[8] On 31 December 2025, the club announced that Duru’s loan had been extended until the end of June.[9]
International career
Born in England, Duru is eligible to play for England, Nigeria, and the United States.[10] He is eligible for the United States via his American mother who is from Philadelphia.[11] In October 2024, he was called up to the United States U20s for a set of friendlies.[12]
References
- ^ "Blackburn Rovers U18 star Duru on target against former club Manchester United | All Nigeria Soccer". www.allnigeriasoccer.com.
- ^ McDougall, John (July 7, 2021). "The 10 Blackburn youngsters aiming to become the next Nyambe or Lenihan". Lancs Live.
- ^ FC, Blackburn Rovers (May 25, 2023). "Pro deal for Duru!". Blackburn Rovers FC.
- ^ "Exciting Blackburn Rovers youngster sets big target after penning new deal". Lancashire Telegraph. May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Blackburn Rovers player ratings as Sam Szmodics and John Buckley stand out". Lancashire Telegraph. August 13, 2024.
- ^ "Leo Duru Signs". www.barrowafc.com. January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "Leo heads to San Diego!". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
- ^ "Clarity on Blackburn Rovers deal after transfer confusion". lancashiretelegraph.co.uk. August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "Duru extends San Diego stay". Blackburn Rovers F.C. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ "Nigeria considering approach for Blackburn Rovers youngster". Lancashire Telegraph. July 13, 2021.
- ^ "After impressing with the U.S. U-20 team, Duru aiming for more in 2025". American Soccer Now. December 18, 2024.
- ^ "Mitrović Call 22 Players for Friendlies Against 2025 U20 World Cup Hosts Chile". YANKS ABROAD. October 5, 2024.
External links
- Leo Duru at Soccerway