Amahl Pellegrino Bio
Amahl William D’vaz Pellegrino, born on 18 June 1990 in Drammen, Norway, is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a left winger or forward. Standing 190 cm tall, he is recognized for his goal-scoring instincts and his ability to operate wide or through the middle of the attack. As of 2025, he plays for Major League Soccer club San Diego FC.
After a slow start in Norwegian lower divisions, Pellegrino rose to prominence at Bodø/Glimt, where he became one of the Eliteserien’s most prolific forwards. His path from local football in Drammen to a top scorer in Norway’s top flight, followed by moves to the Saudi Pro League and MLS, marks him as one of the more traveled Norwegian attackers of his generation.
Early Life and Background
Amahl William D’vaz Pellegrino was born on 18 June 1990 in Drammen, Norway. He was born in Norway to Tanzanian parents, giving him a dual cultural background that has shaped his identity both on and off the pitch. Growing up in Drammen, a city with a strong local football tradition, Pellegrino developed an early connection to the sport through community clubs and youth setups in the region.
From his earliest years in organized football, Pellegrino showed a natural feel for attacking play, often deployed as a wide forward or central striker in youth teams. His physical growth, eventually reaching 190 cm, helped him transition into a forward who could compete physically with defenders while still retaining the mobility needed to play along the wing. Drammen FK served as his first footballing home, the club where he took his earliest competitive steps in senior football.
While specific details of his formal education are not publicly documented, his formative years were closely tied to his development at Drammen FK. The club provided the platform from which he would later move into more established professional environments, laying the technical and tactical foundation that would later fuel his rise in Norwegian top-flight football.
Path to Professional Soccer
Pellegrino’s journey toward professional football began in earnest at Drammen FK, where he played his earliest senior matches between 2009 and 2011. The club operated outside Norway’s top flight, and his performances there were enough to earn a move to Bærum SK at the age of 22. With Bærum, he experienced the volatility of the Norwegian First Division, as the club was relegated in 2012 but returned to the second tier after winning promotion in 2013.
In the summer of 2014, Pellegrino earned his first opportunity in the Eliteserien, signing for Lillestrøm SK and making his top-flight debut in August 2014 against FK Haugesund. However, his time at Lillestrøm produced no league goals, and he was soon on the move again, joining Mjøndalen IF in the summer of 2015. After relegation that same year and failed promotion attempts in 2016 and 2017, Pellegrino’s persistence paid off when he signed a two-year contract with his hometown Eliteserien club Strømsgodset on 20 November 2017, fulfilling what was described as his childhood dream.
Amahl Pellegrino Career
Early Career (2009–2017)
Pellegrino’s earliest professional years were spent moving between clubs in search of the right environment to showcase his attacking talent. At Drammen FK from 2009 to 2011, he gained initial senior experience before transferring to Bærum SK in 2012. His spell at Bærum coincided with both relegation and an immediate promotion, demonstrating his exposure to the competitive pressures of Norwegian second-tier football.
His move to Lillestrøm SK in 2014 marked his entry into the Eliteserien, though the period proved unproductive in front of goal. Subsequent stints at Mjøndalen IF and Strømsgodset, the latter representing his hometown club, did not immediately transform his trajectory. After struggling for consistency on the wing at Strømsgodset, he was sold to Kristiansund in 2019, where his career finally took off with 33 goals in 39 league matches.
Kristiansund Breakthrough (2019–2021)
At Kristiansund, Pellegrino found the consistency that had eluded him in earlier stops. Deployed in a more central and free role, he flourished, scoring 33 goals in 39 league matches and establishing himself as one of the Eliteserien’s most dangerous attackers. His performances attracted attention abroad and set the stage for his first move outside Norway.
Bodø/Glimt Era (2021–2024)
On 17 August 2021, Pellegrino returned to Norwegian football on a free transfer to join Bodø/Glimt. The move proved transformative. He scored 35 goals in his first 58 matches in all tournaments, including 9 goals in 21 European appearances. In his first season, he helped the club retain the Eliteserien title with a 3–0 win over Mjøndalen in the final match of the league season.
During the 2022 Eliteserien season, Pellegrino netted 25 times to finish as the league’s top scorer, finishing nine goals ahead of teammate Hugo Vetlesen. He repeated the feat in 2023 with 24 goals, again finishing as the top scorer. That season he was also named the league’s player of the year as Bodø/Glimt secured their third league title in just four years, cementing his legacy as one of the defining players of that dominant era.
Damac and Saudi Pro League (2021)
On 25 January 2021, Pellegrino moved from Kristiansund to Damac in the Saudi Pro League for an undisclosed fee. His time in Saudi Arabia was brief but notable, as he scored his only goals for the club in a 3–2 win over Al-Nassr in the Pro League on 9 April 2021.
San Jose Earthquakes Era (2024–2025)
On 9 February 2024, Pellegrino joined MLS side San Jose Earthquakes on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. His arrival brought top-flight European scoring form to the Bay Area, where he was expected to serve as a primary attacking option for the club.
San Diego FC Era (2025–Present)
On 22 August 2025, Pellegrino was acquired by fellow MLS club San Diego FC. The move reunited him with a fresh project in Major League Soccer and provided San Diego FC with an experienced goal scorer capable of leading their attack in their early seasons in the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Pellegrino’s most memorable achievements are his back-to-back Eliteserien top-scorer titles in 2022 and 2023, the latter paired with the league’s player of the year award and a third Bodø/Glimt title in four seasons. His 3–0 win over Mjøndalen that sealed the 2021 title stands as another signature moment, along with his decisive goals against Al-Nassr during his short Damac spell.
Amahl Pellegrino Career Wins
Throughout his career, Pellegrino has accumulated an extensive list of goals and team accomplishments across Norwegian football, the Saudi Pro League, and Major League Soccer. His most decorated period came at Bodø/Glimt, where his goals directly contributed to multiple Eliteserien titles.
Eliteserien Highlights
Pellegrino scored 33 goals in 39 league matches at Kristiansund, establishing himself as a top-flight threat. At Bodø/Glimt, he added 25 goals in the 2022 Eliteserien season to finish as the league’s top scorer, followed by 24 goals in 2023 to claim the award again. He was also named the league’s player of the year in 2023.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond league play, Pellegrino contributed 9 goals in 21 European matches during his early Bodø/Glimt spell, demonstrating his ability to perform on continental stages. His brief stint at Damac included goals in a 3–2 victory over Al-Nassr, one of the Saudi Pro League’s most prominent clubs.
Amahl Pellegrino Family
Family Background and Heritage
Amahl William D’vaz Pellegrino was born in Drammen, Norway, to Tanzanian parents. This heritage has been a notable part of his identity throughout his career, particularly as he was pre-called up by the Tanzania national football team in December 2023 for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Personal Life
Pellegrino has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye. While his career moves have taken him from Drammen to clubs across Norway, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, details regarding his marital status, spouse, or children have not been publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Pellegrino’s 2025 season began with him at San Jose Earthquakes, where he continued his MLS transition following his high-scoring Bodø/Glimt tenure. His performances there drew attention from a fellow MLS side, leading to his acquisition by San Diego FC on 22 August 2025.
With San Diego FC, Pellegrino joined a club in the early stages of its MLS journey, bringing veteran experience and proven goal-scoring credentials. His arrival was positioned as a significant addition to the team’s attacking corps as the season progressed.
Looking ahead, Pellegrino’s familiarity with top-flight football in Europe and his adaptation to MLS conditions suggest he will remain a central figure in San Diego FC’s attack. His track record of double-digit league goal totals in Norway provides a benchmark for what the club will expect from him as the 2025 campaign advances.