Udoka Chima

Udoka Chima (born 1 February 2002) is a professional footballer who plays for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League. Born in Italy and raised in England, he represents Nigeria at international level.

Udoka Chima
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-02-01) 1 February 2002
Place of birth Italy
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Cavalry FC
Number 15
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)
International career
Nigeria U19
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 29, 2023

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.[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

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]

International career

Chima has played for the Nigeria U19 team.[25]

References
  1. "Introducing - Udoka Chima". Queen of the South F.C. 3 August 2021.
  2. "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 adds young centre-back Udoka Chima to CPL roster". Calgary Sun. 13 February 2023.
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