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Udoka Chima
Personal information
Full name Udoka Godwill Chima
Date of birth (2002-02-01) 1 February 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Italy
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
Lace FC
2018–2020 Burnley
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Burnley 0 (0)
2019 → Steeton AFC (loan) 4 (0)
2021–2022 Queen of the South 1 (0)
2022 Cheshunt 0 (0)
2022 Harrow Borough 2 (0)
2022 Kings Langley 5 (1)
2023 Cavalry FC 13 (0)
2023 Worthing 0 (0)
2024 Fola Esch 4 (0)
International career
Nigeria U19
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 June 2024

Udoka Godwill Chima (born 1 February 2002) is a professional footballer. Born in Italy and raised in England, he represented Nigeria at international level.

Early life

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Chima was born in Italy to Nigerian parents and lived between the two countries until his family moved to England when he was six.[1] He played grassroots football for a couple of years with Lace FC, a club based in Tottenham, North London.[2] Afterwards, he sought to join an academy program: following trials with the academies of Barnet, Coventry City, Norwich City, and Luton Town,[1][2] in July 2018, he joined the youth system of Burnley.[3] He was eventually released by Burnley at the end of the 2019-20 season.[4][5][6]

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.[7][8] 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.[9] Following this, he received interest from Newcastle United,[1][10] before subsequently joined Coventry City on a trial in July 2021,[11][12] playing in a pre-season match with the U23s against Leamington.[13]

Club career

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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.[14]

In July 2021, he signed a two-year contract with Scottish Championship club Queen of the South.[15][16] He made his debut on 31 July 2021, in a substitute appearance against Partick Thistle.[1] 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

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

References

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