Ike_Ugbo

Iké Ugbo

Iké Ugbo

Professional soccer player

Iké Dominique Ugbo (born 21 September 1998) is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Ligue 2 club Troyes. Born in England, he represents the Canada national team.

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...

Ugbo grew up in Canada and played youth soccer there before returning to England, where he played with the youth team of Chelsea. He had loan spells at Barnsley, Milton Keynes Dons, Scunthorpe United, Roda JC and Cercle Brugge, before signing for Genk in 2021.

He represented England at under-17 and under-20 youth levels, before making his senior international debut for Canada in 2021.

Early life

Ugbo was born in Lewisham, Greater London,[2] to Nigerian parents.[3] He moved to Canada with his family when he was four or five.[4] In Canada, he played youth soccer with Brampton East SC and Woodbridge Strikers,[5] winning an international under-10 tournament at Disney in 2008 with the latter.[6]

Upon his return to the UK, he joined the Chelsea Academy at under-10 level.[7] He won the UEFA Youth League with Chelsea in 2014–15 and 2015–16.[5]

Club career

Chelsea

In 2015, he signed his first professional contract with Chelsea, but continued to play for the U17 through U23 sides.[7] On 17 July 2017, Ugbo signed a season-long loan deal with Barnsley.[8] On 5 August 2017, Ugbo made his debut off the bench against Bristol City which resulted in a 3–1 loss.[9] He scored his first professional goal on 26 August against Sunderland.[10] On 3 January 2018, Ugbo's loan spell with Barnsley was terminated, following a lack of game time.[11]

The next day, Ugbo joined League One club Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.[12] On 6 January 2018, Ugbo made his debut for the club, featuring in a 1–0 third round FA Cup away victory over Queens Park Rangers.[9]

He joined Scunthorpe United on loan in August 2018, alongside Jak Alnwick.[13]

In August 2019, it was announced the striker would head to Holland to spend the season on loan at Roda JC in the Dutch second tier.[14]

On 18 August 2020, he went to Belgian club Cercle Brugge on loan.[15][16]

Genk

In August 2021, he signed a permanent deal with Belgian club Genk.[17][18] He made his first competitive appearance on 29 August against Anderlecht as a late substitute for Paul Onuachu and scored on his debut, netting the game-winner in a 1–0 victory.[19]

Troyes

In January 2022, Ugbo joined Troyes of Ligue 1 on loan.[20] He made his debut for Troyes on 13 February, playing the full 90 in a 5–1 defeat to Brest.[21] In Ugbo's third game for Troyes against Rennes on 20 February, he scored his first goal.[22] In August 2022 Troyes announced they had reached a deal with Genk over the permanent transfer of Ugbo, signing him on a four-year deal until 2026.[23]

In July 2023, Ugbo joined Championship club Cardiff City on a season-long loan deal.[24] The next month on 6 August, Ugbo made his debut for Cardiff against Leeds United and had a goal and an assist in an eventual 2-2 draw at Elland Road.[25]

On 11 January 2024, he was recalled from Cardiff City and sent on loan to Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday.[26][27] He made his debut in the 2–1 defeat against Coventry City on 20 January coming off the bench.[28] His first goals for the club came against Birmingham City on 9 February 2023, scoring a brace.[29] After scoring 5 goals in 5 games in February 2024, he was nominated for the Championship Player of the Month.[30]

International career

Ugbo was eligible to represent England (through birth), Canada (through youth residency), and Nigeria (through his parents).[31]

England

Ugbo has represented England at under-17 and under-20 level.[32] In June 2017, Ugbo represented England U20 at the 2017 Toulon Tournament, scoring the only goal in their 1–0 opening group stage match against Angola and converted a penalty kick in the shootout of the final against Ivory Coast, helping his side win the title.[8][33]

Canada

In September 2021, he announced that he had decided to change his international allegiance to Nigeria.[34][35] However, two months later on 4 November, he instead switched his international allegiance to Canada.[5][36] The next day he was called up to the team for that month's 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Costa Rica and Mexico.[37] He made his international debut for Canada in the match against Costa Rica on 12 November, appearing as an 83rd minute substitute.[38] In November 2022, Ugbo was named to Canada's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[39]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 21 April 2024
More information Club, Season ...
  1. Includes FA Cup, KNVB Cup, Belgian Cup, Coupe de France
  2. Includes EFL Cup
  3. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played March 23, 2024
More information National team, Year ...

References

  1. [1]
    Iké Ugbo at Soccerway. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  2. [2]
    "Profile". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  3. [3]
    Christian Okpara (18 April 2016). "Does the English Premiership hold the key to Nigeria's revival?". Nigeria Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  4. [4]
    Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (19 August 2020). "'I Have Just Been There Ever Since' – Ike Ugbo Reveals How He Ended Up At Chelsea". All Nigeria Soccer.
  5. [5]
    "Welcome to #CANMNT: Iké Ugbo joins Men's National Team Program". Canadian Soccer Association. 4 November 2021.
  6. [6]
    "Strikers score big to win Disney tournament, meet Mickey Mouse". The Newmarket Era. 13 August 2008.
  7. [7]
    "Everything you need to know about Chelsea striker Ike Ugbo". Bristol Post. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  8. [8]
    "Ike Ugbo: Barnsley sign Chelsea striker on a season-long loan deal". BBC Sport. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  9. [9]
    "Games played by Iké Ugbo in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  10. [10]
    Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (27 August 2017). "Chelsea Loanee Ugbo Scores First Professional Goal For Barnsley". All Nigeria Soccer.
  11. [11]
    "Two return from loans". Chelsea F.C. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  12. [12]
    "Ike Ugbo: Chelsea striker joins MK Dons on loan after Barnsley spell". BBC Sport. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  13. [13]
    "Jak Alnwick and Ike Ugbo: Scunthorpe sign Rangers goalkeeper and Chelsea striker". BBC Sport. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  14. [14]
    "Ike Ugbo | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club". ChelseaFC.
  15. [15]
    "Ugbo extends deal and heads to Belgium". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  16. [16]
    "Aanvallende versterking: welkom Ike Ugbo!" (in Dutch). Cercle Brugge K.S.V. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  17. [17]
    "Chelsea Transfer News: Ike Ugo leaves Chelsea for Genk | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club". ChelseaFC.
  18. [18]
    Emms, Nick. "Official: Ike Ugbo Completes Permanent Transfer to Genk". Sports Illustrated Chelsea FC News, Analysis and More.
  19. [19]
    Oludare, Shina (29 August 2021). "Ike Ugbo scores on Genk debut against Anderlecht". Sporting News.
  20. [20]
    "Iké Ugbo rejoint L'ESTAC!" [Iké Ugbo joins ESTAC!]. Troyes (in French). 31 January 2022.
  21. [21]
    Galindo, Peter (15 February 2022). "Canadians Abroad Roundup: Corbeanu remains dominant at MK Dons". Sportsnet.
  22. [22]
    "RENNES-ESTAC : RÉACTIONS & RÉSUMÉ". 21 February 2022.
  23. [23]
    "IKÉ UGBO DE RETOUR EN BLEU & BLANC !". 4 August 2022.
  24. [24]
    "Iké Ugbo is a Bluebird". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  25. [25]
    "Match Report - Leeds United 2–2 Cardiff City". Cardiff City. 6 August 2023.
  26. [26]
    "Ike Ugbo joins Owls on loan!". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 11 January 2024.
  27. [27]
    "Wednesday sign striker Ugbo after Cardiff recall" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  28. [28]
    "Sheaf double helps Coventry beat Wednesday". BBC. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  29. [29]
    "Ugbo reacts to Birmingham brace". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 9 February 2024.
  30. [30]
    "Sky Bet Championship Manager and Player of the Month nominations". EFL. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  31. [31]
    Davidson, Neil (4 November 2021). "Former England youth international Ike Ugbo commits to Canada". CBC.
  32. [32]
    "Profile". The Football Association. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  33. [33]
    "Getting to know you: Ike Ugbo". MK Dons. 4 January 2018.
  34. [34]
    Akawor, Izuchukwu (4 November 2021). "Ex-Chelsea starlet Ike Ugbo dumps Nigeria's Super Eagles for Canada". Pulse Nigeria.
  35. [35]
    Inyang, Ifreke (9 September 2021). "Why I chose Nigeria over England – Ike Ugbo". Daily Post (Nigeria).
  36. [36]
    Davidson, Neil (4 November 2021). "Former England youth international Ike Ugbo commits to Canada". CBC.
  37. [37]
    O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (5 November 2021). "CanMNT roster announced for WCQ games in Edmonton vs. Costa Rica, Mexico". Canadian Premier League.
  38. [38]
    "Canada wins 1–0 over Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying match at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium". Global News. 12 November 2021.
  39. [39]
    O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (13 November 2022). "Canada announces 26-man squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar". Canadian Premier League.
  40. [40]
    "Games played by Iké Ugbo in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  41. [41]
    "Games played by Iké Ugbo in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  42. [42]
    "Games played by Iké Ugbo in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  43. [43]
    "Games played by Iké Ugbo in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
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