Udoka Chima Explained

Udoka Chima
Fullname:Udoka Godwill Chima
Birth Date:1 February 2002
Birth Place:Italy
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Fola Esch
Clubnumber:5
Youthclubs1:Lace FC
Youthyears2:2018–2020
Youthclubs2:Burnley
Years1:2019–2020
Clubs1:Burnley
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2019
Clubs2:→ Steeton AFC (loan)
Caps2:4
Goals2:0
Years3:2021–2022
Clubs3:Queen of the South
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Years4:2022
Clubs4:Cheshunt
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Years5:2022
Clubs5:Harrow Borough
Caps5:2
Goals5:0
Years6:2022
Clubs6:Kings Langley
Caps6:5
Goals6:1
Years7:2023
Clubs7:Cavalry FC
Caps7:13
Goals7:0
Years8:2023
Clubs8:Worthing
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Years9:2024–
Clubs9:Fola Esch
Caps9:4
Goals9:0
Nationalteam1:Nigeria U19
Club-Update:1 June 2024

Udoka Godwill Chima (born 1 February 2002) is a professional footballer who plays for Luxembourg National Division club Fola Esch. Born in Italy and raised in England, he represents Nigeria at international level.

Early life

Chima was born in Italy to Nigerian parents and lived between the two countries until his family moved to England when he was six. He played grassroots football for a couple of years with Lace FC, a club based in Tottenham, North London.[1] Afterwards, he sought to join an academy program: following trials with the academies of Barnet, Coventry City, Norwich City, and Luton Town, in July 2018, he joined the youth system of Burnley.[2] He was eventually released by Burnley at the end of the 2019-20 season.[3] [4] [5]

Following his release from Burnley, he had a trial with Serie A club Napoli in September 2020, along with reported interest from Atalanta and Genoa, as well as French club Dijon.[6] [7] He then had a trial with Primeira Liga club Benfica from 29 April to 9 May 2021, with fellow Portuguese clubs Braga and Porto also interested in signing him.[8] Following this, he received interest from Newcastle United,[9] before subsequently joined Coventry City on a trial in July 2021,[10] [11] playing in a pre-season match with the U23s against Leamington.[12]

Club career

In August 2019, Chima was loaned by Burnley to Steeton, a club in the North West Counties Football League Division One South, until the end of September.[13]

In July 2021, he signed a two-year contract with Scottish Championship club Queen of the South.[14] [15] He made his debut on 31 July 2021, in a substitute appearance against Partick Thistle.[16] In May 2022, he mutually terminated his contract with the club.[17]

On 2 September 2022, Chima joined National League South side Cheshunt.[18] However, just ten days later, he made a permanent switch to Southern League Premier South side Harrow Borough.[19] Soon after again, he moved to Southern League Premier Central club Kings Langley on 30 September,[20] scoring on his debut on 1 October, in a match against Bromsgrove Sporting.[21] Afterwards, he spent some time training with Onside Football Institute in England, while looking for a new club.[22]

On 13 February 2023, Chima joined Canadian Premier League club Cavalry FC on a one-year contract, with a club option for another season.[23] [24] Upon completion of the 2023 season, Chima's contract would be terminated by mutual consent, ending his time with the club.[25]

On 9 December 2023, he officially returned to England by joining National League South club Worthing.[26] [27] He departed at the end of December, not having featured in any matches due to a hamstring injury.[28]

In March 2024, Chima joined Luxembourg National Division club Fola Esch.[29] [30]

International career

Chima has played for the Nigeria U19 team.[31]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Udoka Chima: Nigerian talent discovered in a park is given a chance to shine at Burnley. 6 January 2023. CEE Cup.
  2. Web site: Burnley signs 18 year old Nigerian defender. July 9, 2018. Brila FM.
  3. Web site: Coventry City trialist 'impresses' in friendly – Newcastle United, Benfica previously linked. 12 July 2021. The 72. James. Ray.
  4. Web site: Hot stuff! Newcastle, Benfica chase Chima. May 17, 2021. Andrew. Ekejiuba. The Point Nigeria.
  5. Web site: 25 June 2020 . New Deals For Young Players . https://web.archive.org/web/20200720235308/https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2020/june/new-deals-for-young-players-/ . 20 July 2020 . 17 February 2023 . Burnley F.C..
  6. Web site: Napoli Hoping To Beat Atalanta, Genoa To Signing Of Italian-Born Ex-Burnley Center Back Chima. September 17, 2020. All Nigeria Soccer. Ifeanyi. Emmanuel.
  7. Web site: Ligue 1 Club Dijon Running The Rule Over Released Burnley Center Back Udoka. October 12, 2020. Africa Press.
  8. Web site: Newcastle United face competition from Portuguese giants Benfica in race to sign Nigerian defender. 17 May 2021. All Nigeria Soccer. Ifeanyi. Emmanuel.
  9. Web site: Udoka Chima invited to train with Newcastle United ahead of possible deal – Report. May 17, 2021. The Mag. Graham. Porter.
  10. Web site: Coventry City 'offer trial' to former Burnley defender amid Newcastle United interest. 1 July 2021. Mark. Whiley. Coventry Telegraph.
  11. Web site: Newcastle United face competition from Coventry City for ex-Burnley Nigerian defender. 1 July 2021. All Nigeria Soccer. Ifeanyi. Emmanuel.
  12. Web site: Nigerian defender, linked with Newcastle United, impresses in trial game with Coventry City U23s. 12 July 2021. All Nigeria Soccer. Ifeanyi. Emmanuel.
  13. Web site: Steeton boss: We want to continue Premier League link-up. 28 August 2019. Telegraph & Argus. Mark. Stanford.
  14. Web site: Welcome Udoka Chima. 29 July 2021. Queen of the South F.C..
  15. Web site: Coventry City trialist from earlier this month Udoka Chima joins Queen of the South. 30 July 2021. The 72. Harry. Mail.
  16. Web site: Introducing - Udoka Chima. August 3, 2021. Queen of the South F.C..
  17. Web site: Squad Update. Queen of the South F.C.. 6 May 2022.
  18. Web site: Edwards strengthens squad. 2 September 2022. Cheshunt F.C..
  19. Web site: Chima Makes Boro Move. 12 September 2022. Southern Football League. Steve. Whitney.
  20. Web site: Kings Langley Bring in Three. 1 October 2022. Southern Football League. Steve. Whitney.
  21. Web site: Saturday's Premier Division Central Round-Up. 1 October 2022. Southern Football League. Steve. Whitney.
  22. Web site: 'It makes Canada feel more like home': Familiar faces helping CPL's Londoners thrive in new environments. May 16, 2023. Benedict. Rhodes. Canadian Premier League.
  23. Web site: Cavalry FC signs Nigerian Youth International Defender Udoka Chima to 2023 Roster. February 13, 2023. Cavalry FC.
  24. Web site: Cavalry Hopes To Continue 'Great Tradition' Of CB Signings With Udoka Chima. February 13, 2023. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  25. Web site: Cavalry FC Announces End of Season Roster Updates. Cavalry FC. November 30, 2023.
  26. Web site: Udoka Chima joins Rebels. Worthing F.C.. 9 December 2023. Jack. Williams.
  27. Web site: Udoka Chima Returns To England With Worthing FC. December 11, 2023. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  28. Web site: Squad Update. 2 January 2024. Jack. Williams. Worthing F.C..
  29. Web site: Schal-Gate in Mersch, zwei Neue auf der Fola: Die Splitter vor dem 19. Spieltag. Schal-Gate in Mersch, two new ones on the Fola: The splinters before the 19th matchday. de. 2 March 2024. Tageblatt. Christelle. Diederich.
  30. Web site: Luxembourg Looms For Former Cavalry Defender Udoka Chima. 5 March 2024. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  31. Web site: Cavalry adds young centre-back Udoka Chima to CPL roster. February 13, 2023. Calgary Sun.

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