Ikechukwu Uche

A Nigerian footballer Ikechukwu Uche performs as a striker for Villarreal. Ikechukwu was born on 5 January 1984 in Aba.

Uche started his playing career at the youth department of Amanze United. Very soon the young player was scouted by Iwuanyanwo Nationale, where the last years of his junior career passed. In 2001, after finishing his formation, Ikechukwu joined the senior side of Racing Ferrol. The player’s debut season was lined with several appearances made, but the following season turned to be more fortunate, as the footballer appeared 24 times and racked up two balls. Despite his good performance, Racing Ferrol took the 20th position and lost its place in the second division.

In 2003, Uche was scouted by Recreativo. Very soon he established himself as a member of the starting team. His first season for the squad was lined with nine balls scored in 38 matches. The 2004/2005 season was even more fortunate for the player, as he racked up eight goals in 6 games. Unfortunately, Ikechukwu got an injury and was kept away from the field for a month. He managed to finish the season with 20 goals and to become the club’s top scorer.

In the summer 2006, the player got another trauma. He didn’t appear on the field until October 2006, when he came as a sub in a match against Getafe. On 20 December 2006, Uche netted his goal in a game with Real. The season was lined with eight balls racked up in 31 matches in the Spanish Championship.

In 2007, Ikechukwu joined Getafe. He debuted for the squad in a match against Sevilla in August 2007. In September, the striker scored his debut goal in a game with FC Twente. The footballer’s career at the club was lined with 11 goals amassed in 55 matches.

In 2009, Uche put pen to paper of contract with Zaragoza. In a month, the striker got an injury and was out of game for almost a year. That trauma prevented the player from getting the place in the starting eleven. Altogether, the footballer appeared 18 times and was once lucky to find the net. In 2011, a move to Villarreal happened, but the player was almost immediately loaned out by Granada, where the 2011/2012 season was spent. The temporary spell was lined with three balls scored in 34 games.

Ikechukwu made his international debut in 2007. The striker has already been called up more than 40 times for the Nigeria full side.