Caleb Ansah Ekuban (born 23 March 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Genoa. Born in Italy, Ekuban represents the Ghana national football team. Ekuban is a striker known for his pace, technical ability and strong physique. His style of play and prolific goal scoring as a youngster in the Chievo youth team saw him likened to compatriot Mario Balotelli Early life Caleb Ekuban was born in Villafranca di Verona, Italy, to Ghanaian parents, Rev. Kobina and Sabina Ekuban. Caleb's father is the district elder of the Pentecostal Assembly of Churches in Italy as well as an accountant and business entrepreneur. Ekuban was one of seven children growing up in Italy. At the age of 10 his father was transferred to Mantova for ministerial duties and registered Ekuban along with two of his brothers with the Mantova youth team. Ekuban stood out and went on to be signed up by Chievo. He is fluent in Italian and is also able to speak Fanti, the major local dialect in the Central Region of Ghana. One of his brothers Joseph is now a professional footballer as well, playing in Italy. Club career Chievo Verona After progressing through the youth system at Chievo, Ekuban was called up for the first time to the senior squad by the coach Eugenio Corini on 26 January 2013 for the Serie A match against Lazio, he remained an unused substitute as Chievo won 1–0 at Stadio Olimpico. Ekuban never appeared professionally for Chievo and was loaned out to four clubs over a four-year period and despite being contracted to the club until 2018, he was transferred to Leeds in July 2017. Loan at Südtirol In July 2013, Ekuban was sent on loan at Südtirol to gain more playing experience. In August he was the subject of racial abuse in a Coppa Italia first round match against Matera with the perpetrator later receiving a 10 match suspension. He made his professional debut on 1 September by playing in the last 31 minutes of the 1–1 home draw against Reggiana. He scored his first goal later on 13 October, giving his side a point in the match against Venezia. However, his spell at the club was short-lived, and after making only seven league appearances, which only two of them as a starter, Ekuban left the club in January 2014. Loan at Lumezzane In January