Roy Odiaka

Roy Odiaka (born 22 March 1992) is a former French footballer of Nigerian descent who played as a forward. He last played for Universitatea Cluj.

Roy Odiaka
Personal information
Full name Roy Odiaka
Date of birth (1992-03-22) 22 March 1992
Place of birth Colombes, France
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
–2007 AF Garenne Colombes
2007–2010 Dulwich Hamlet
2010–2012 Crystal Palace
2012 Stoke City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Dulwich Hamlet 4 (2)
2012–2013 Beckenham Town 6 (1)
2013 Walton Casuals 4 (0)
2013 Walton & Hersham 3 (2)
2013 Universitatea Cluj 4 (0)
Total 21 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 March 2016

Club career

Odiaka's career began with AFC Garenne Colombes, who he featured for in the youth ranks. At the age of 16, Odiaka was handed the opportunity of a trial with Norwich City. He featured for the Under-18s in a fixture with Norfolk County in August 2008, in which he scored twice. However, he later joined Dulwich Hamlet before a move to the Canaries could progress.[1]

In July 2010, Odiaka was snapped up by Crystal Palace and he headed into the Under-21s. He went on to line-up for Stoke City Under-21s on three occasions, scoring once. With his first taste of action coming in a 5-1 defeat to Newcastle United on 3 September 2012, a debut goal would also be his only goal for the club. Following a 7-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, his final appearance came in against Southampton in early October.

After failing to impress, he joined non-league outfit Beckenham Town in February 2012. Scoring one goal for the club, in a 3-0 win over Rochester United, he later joined Isthmian League Division One South club Walton Casuals for a short spell. Following four appearances, in which he failed to find the net, he joined local rivals Walton & Hersham.

Odiaka then moved to Romania to play in Liga I, joining Universitatea Cluj.[2] After a successful trial earlier in the month, in which manager Ionel Ganea took less than 24 hours to offer a deal,[3] he made his professional debut on 21 July 2013, replacing Cătălin Dedu at half-time in a 1-0 defeat to Petrolul Ploiești.[4] Despite signing a three-year contract, he managed just a further three appearances before having his contract terminated on 10 September 2013.

Due to family relations, Odiaka was eligible to represent Nigeria, France or Senegal national teams.

References
  1. "Flown From the Nest - Roy Odiaka". www.ex-canaries.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  2. "Stoke City's Roy Odiaka Trialing With Universitatea Cluj:: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal". www.allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  3. "EXCLUSIVE: Former Stoke City Youngster Roy Odiaka Pens Three - Year Deal With Universitatea Cluj:: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal". www.allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  4. "England - R. Odiaka - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
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