Chiedozie Ogbene
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Chiedozie Somkelechukwu Ogbene[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 1 May 1997||
Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria | ||
Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Winger | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Luton Town | ||
Number | 7 | ||
Youth career | |||
Tramore Athletic | |||
College Corinthians | |||
Kilreen Celtic | |||
Everton | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015–2016 | Cork City | 9 | (3) |
2017 | Limerick | 32 | (8) |
2018–2019 | Brentford | 6 | (0) |
2018–2019 | → Exeter City (loan) | 14 | (0) |
2019–2023 | Rotherham United | 120 | (12) |
2023– | Luton Town | 30 | (4) |
International career‡ | |||
2021– | Republic of Ireland | 20 | (4) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:11, 19 May 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:57, 23 March 2024 (UTC) |
Chiedozie Somkelechukwu Ogbene (born 1 May 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger for Luton Town and the Republic of Ireland national team.
Ogbene began his career in Ireland with Cork City and Limerick, before transferring to Brentford in 2018. After a loan spell with Exeter City he moved to Rotherham United in 2019, and then to Luton Town in 2023.
Early and personal life[edit]
Born in Lagos, Nigeria,[2] Ogbene moved with his family (including two brothers and two sisters) to Ireland in 2005,[3][4] after his father got a job in the country,[5] rejecting an offer of a job in Florida in the process.[6] He grew up in the Grange area of Cork.[7] He attended Bunscoil Chríost Rí as his primary school and Coláiste Chríost Rí as his secondary school.[4] He is a supporter of Liverpool.[4]
Club career[edit]
Ogbene played Gaelic football for Nemo Rangers and association football for Munster Senior League clubs Tramore Athletic, College Corinthians, Kilreen Celtic and Everton.[3][4] He scored 1–2 and was awarded man of the match in an under-21 final for Nemo Rangers in 2015, his last appearance for the club.[8] He quit Gaelic football to pursue his dream of playing Premier League football.[9]
He signed for Cork City in August 2015.[4] He won the Enda McGuill Cup with their under-19 youth team, and the 2016 FAI Cup with their senior team.[4]
He signed for fellow League of Ireland club Limerick in January 2017.[10] He was nominated three times for the League of Ireland Player of the Month award.[11]
In November 2017 he was linked with a transfer to English club Aston Villa.[12]
On 30 January 2018, Ogbene signed for English club Brentford on a three-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee.[13] He made his league debut on 10 April 2018, making one further appearance that season.[14] He moved on loan to Exeter City in August 2018.[15]
On 29 August 2019, Ogbene joined League One club Rotherham United for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.[16][17] In 2019–20, he played a central role in Rotherham's promotion-winning season, being described by manager Paul Warne as "unplayable" after he helped Rotherham beat Bristol Rovers by 3–0.[7] He was injured between October 2020 and April 2021.[18]
On 3 April 2022 he scored a goal as Rotherham won the EFL Trophy in a 4–2 victory over Sutton United.[19]
On 27 June 2023, it was announced that Ogbene would join newly promoted Premier League side Luton Town on 1 July 2023 when his contract with Rotherham United came to an end.[20][21]
International career[edit]
He was eligible to represent both Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at international level.[4] In July 2020, Ogbene approached Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny to declare his wish to play for the national team.[7] On 24 May 2021, Ogbene received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the summer friendlies against Andorra and Hungary.[22][23][24] He said he hoped to be a role model for other Irish players from a similar background.[25] He made his debut on 8 June 2021 against Hungary, becoming the first African-born player to represent the Republic of Ireland.[26] The Irish players had been booed by Hungarian fans prior to kick-off for taking the knee in a symbolic gesture against racism in the sport, which Ogbene asked UEFA to investigate.[27]
Ogbene scored his first international goal on 9 October 2021 in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan with a 90th minute header in a 3–0 win at Baku Olympic Stadium.[28]
Career statistics[edit]
Club[edit]
- As of 19 May 2024
Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Cork City | 2015[2] | LOI Premier Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2016[2] | LOI Premier Division | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | |
Total | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | ||
Limerick | 2017[2] | LOI Premier Division | 32 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 8 |
Brentford | 2017–18[14] | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
2018–19[29] | Championship | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
Total | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
Exeter City (loan) | 2018–19[29] | League Two | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[c] | 0 | 17 | 0 |
Rotherham United | 2019–20[30] | League One | 25 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 29 | 1 |
2020–21[31] | Championship | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
2021–22[32] | League One | 45 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4[c] | 1 | 53 | 4 | |
2022–23[33] | Championship | 39 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 42 | 9 | ||
Total | 120 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 136 | 14 | ||
Luton Town | 2023–24[34] | Premier League | 30 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 36 | 5 | |
Career total | 210 | 27 | 16 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 242 | 30 |
International[edit]
- As of match played 23 March 2024
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Republic of Ireland | 2021 | 5 | 2 |
2022 | 8 | 1 | |
2023 | 6 | 1 | |
2024 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 20 | 4 |
- Scores and results list the Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ogbene goal.
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 October 2021 | Bakı Olimpiya Stadionu, Baku, Azerbaijan | Azerbaijan | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification[28] |
2 | 14 November 2021 | Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | Luxembourg | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
3 | 26 March 2022 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland | Belgium | 1–1 | 2–2 | Friendly[35] |
4 | 22 March 2023 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland | Latvia | 3–2 | 3–2 | Friendly |
Honours[edit]
Cork City
Rotherham United
References[edit]
- ^ "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Chiedozie Ogbene at Soccerway. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ a b "'I had to pick between soccer and Gaelic football but this is the dream' - Chiedozie Ogbene". The 42. 27 December 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "TEN THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT CHIEDOZIE OGBENE". Brentford F.C. 30 January 2018. Archived from the original on 20 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "Africa-born Ogbene on his 'different journey' to Republic of Ireland squad". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Rising Ireland star Chiedozie Ogbene grateful father chose Cork over Florida". Largs and Millport Weekly News.
- ^ a b c "FAI begin eligibility process after Ogbene expresses desire to represent Ireland". The 42. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ "'Incredibly proud day for the club'". Hogan Stand. 9 June 2021.
- ^ "Chiedozie Ogbene: Luton Town winger reveals he quit Gaelic football to follow his Premier League dream". Sky Sports.
- ^ Ryan Kelly (19 January 2017). "Chiedozie Ogbene leaves Cork City for Limerick". Goal.com. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ Colm Kinsella (2 November 2017). "Limerick FC winger Chiedozie Ogbene nominated for Player of Month award". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ John Fallon and Liam Mackey (30 November 2017). "Aston Villa targeting talented Chiedozie Ogbene". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "Chiedozie Ogbene: Brentford sign forward from Irish side Limerick". BBC Sport. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Games played by Chiedozie Ogbene in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "Chiedozie Ogbene: Exeter City sign Brentford winger on loan until January". BBC Sport. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
- ^ "SIGNING Millers land winger from Brentford". Rotherham United F.C. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Chiedozie Ogbene: Rotherham United sign Brentford winger". BBC Sport. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
- ^ Slattery, Joel (28 April 2021). "Chiedozie Ogbene determined to make his mark on Championship after injury nightmare". Irish Examiner.
- ^ a b Peddy, Chris (3 April 2022). "Rotherham United 4–2 Sutton United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ "Chiedozie Ogbene joins Luton Town!". www.lutontown.co.uk.
- ^ "Luton sign Ireland winger Ogbene from Rotherham" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Chiedozie Ogbene - Rotherham United winger eager to be unleashed for Republic of Ireland". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
- ^ "Meet Chiedozie Ogbene, the explosive winger who's been called into the Ireland squad". Extra.ie. 24 May 2021.
- ^ Fallon, John (30 May 2021). "Chiedozie Ogbene: 'I am Nigerian by birth but grew up in Cork, so see myself as an Irishman'". Irish Examiner.
- ^ "Chiedozie Ogbene is blazing a trail with Republic". independent.
- ^ "Goalkeepers save Republic in Hungary". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Ogbene calls for Uefa action over booing". BBC Sport.
- ^ a b "Chiedozie Ogbene reflects on 'special night' after Republic end wait for a win". The Independent. 10 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Chiedozie Ogbene in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Chiedozie Ogbene in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Chiedozie Ogbene in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Chiedozie Ogbene in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Chiedozie Ogbene in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Games played by Chiedozie Ogbene in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Republic of Ireland 2 Belgium 2". BBC Sport. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- 1997 births
- Living people
- Men's association football wingers
- Black Irish sportspeople
- Expatriate men's footballers in England
- Gaelic footballers who switched code
- Irish expatriate sportspeople in England
- Irish people of Nigerian descent
- Nemo Rangers Gaelic footballers
- Nigerian emigrants to Ireland
- Nigerian men's footballers
- Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
- Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers
- Republic of Ireland men's international footballers
- League of Ireland players
- English Football League players
- Tramore Athletic F.C. players
- College Corinthians A.F.C. players
- Cork City F.C. players
- Limerick F.C. players
- Brentford F.C. players
- Exeter City F.C. players
- Rotherham United F.C. players
- Association footballers from Cork (city)
- Luton Town F.C. players
- Premier League players