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Gozie Ugwu

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Gozie Ugw
Personal information
Full name Chigozie Eze Ugwu[1]
Date of birth (1993-04-22) 22 April 1993 (age 31)[1]
Place of birth Oxford,[1] England
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Al-Ain
Number 99
Youth career
2006–2011 Reading
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 Reading 0 (0)
2012 → Ebbsfleet United (loan) 9 (4)
2012–2013 → Yeovil Town (loan) 15 (3)
2013 → Plymouth Argyle (loan) 6 (0)
2013–2014 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) 7 (1)
2014 Dunfermline Athletic 14 (7)
2015 Yeovil Town 22 (5)
2015–2016 Wycombe Wanderers 29 (2)
2016–2017 Woking 43 (21)
2017–2019 Chesterfield 19 (0)
2018–2019 → Boreham Wood (loan) 21 (4)
2019 → Ebbsfleet United (loan) 8 (2)
2019–2020 Ebbsfleet United 38 (15)
2020–2021 Raith Rovers 13 (3)
2021–2022 Greenock Morton 31 (8)
2022–2023 Jeddah 30 (11)
2023–2024 Al-Entesar 9 (5)
2024– Al-Ain 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 November 2024 (UTC)

Chigozie Eze Ugwu (born 22 April 1993) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi First Division side Al-Ain.[3] He made his debut in the Football League in 2012, and his debut in the Scottish Professional Football League in 2014.

Club career

[edit]

Reading

[edit]

Ugwu was born in Oxford, Oxfordshire.[4][5] He began his career with Reading and progressed through the club's academy to sign a first professional contract in June 2011.[2][6][7] He joined Conference National side Ebbsfleet United on a one-month loan in January 2012,[8] and made his debut in a 1–0 FA Trophy defeat at York City.[9] Ugwu his first goal for the club in a 3–2 win at Bath City,[10] and two more in his next three appearances, against Southport and Gateshead, before the loan was extended by a further month.[4][11] He returned to Reading at the start of April to try and earn a new contract after scoring four goals in ten league and cup appearances for Ebbsfleet.[12][13]

He signed a new two-year contract with Reading in July 2012 and joined League One side Yeovil Town on loan for six months.[14][15] Ugwu made his debut in a 3–0 League Cup win against Colchester United in August,[16] and scored his first two goals for Yeovil in a 4–0 win at Scunthorpe United eleven days later.[17][18] He scored one more goal, against Doncaster Rovers,[19] and returned to Reading at the start of January 2013 after making five starts and 13 substitute appearances for Yeovil.[20][21] Soon after his return, Ugwu was included in a Reading match-day squad for the first time ahead of an FA Cup tie with Crawley Town.[22] He was named among the substitutes but did not make an appearance in a 3–1 win for Reading.[23]

Later in January, Ugwu joined League Two club Plymouth Argyle on a one-month youth loan.[7][24][25] In his second week with the club, he injured his ankle and was unavailable for two matches.[26] He resumed training in February and made his debut for Argyle two days later in a 2–1 win at Aldershot Town as a second-half substitute.[27][28] Despite his injury hit start, manager John Sheridan was keen to extend Ugwu's stay and on 19 February his loan was extended for a further month.[29][30] Having started only two games, and with Reading keen for Ugwu to get playing time,[31] he was recalled from loan on 11 March.[32]

On 14 November 2013, Ugwu signed on loan for Shrewsbury Town until January and made his debut two days later in a 3–1 defeat to Port Vale.[33][34] He returned to Reading having scored once in seven appearances after Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner decided against renewing his loan.[35] On his decision not to extend Ugwu's stay, Turner commented that despite a positive start, he felt criticism from the fans had impacted on his performances.[36]

In May 2014 he left Reading following the expiry of his contract,[37][38] going on to have trials with Oxford United and Dagenham & Redbridge.[39][40]

Dunfermline Athletic

[edit]

On 2 August 2014, Ugwu joined Scottish League One side Dunfermline Athletic.[41] He made his debut days later, coming on as a substitute in the 88th minute of the Scottish Challenge Cup match against Raith Rovers.[42] On 23 August 2014, Ugwu scored twice in 3–0 home victory over Airdrieonians, netting in the 24th and 80th minute.[43] On 22 November 2014, Ugwu scored his first career hat-trick in a 4–0 home victory against Stirling Albion, netting all three goals in the space of 60 minutes.[44]

Yeovil Town

[edit]

Following his release from Dunfermline, Ugwu rejoined Yeovil Town on 15 January 2015 until the end of the season.[45] Despite finishing the season as Yeovil's joint top goalscorer with five, Ugwu was released by Yeovil at the end of the 2014–15 season following their relegation to League Two.[46]

Wycombe Wanderers

[edit]

On 9 September 2015, Ugwu signed a permanent deal with Wycombe Wanderers to the end of the 2015–16 season.[47] Three days later, Ugwu was given his debut by manager Gareth Ainsworth in Wycombe's 2–1 home defeat against Plymouth Argyle, playing the full 90 minutes.[48] A week later, Ugwu went onto score his first goal for Wycombe Wanderers in their 1–1 draw with Leyton Orient, opening the scoring just before half time.[49] On 30 January 2016, Ugwu scored the winner in Wycombe's reverse fixture against Plymouth Argyle, netting the only goal of the game in the 3rd minute.[50]

On 9 May 2016, it was announced that Ugwu would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract on 30 June 2016, along with team-mates; Max Kretzschmar, Alex Lynch and Ryan Sellers.[51]

Woking

[edit]

On 15 July 2016, Ugwu joined National League side Woking on a one-year deal.[52] On 6 August 2016, Ugwu made his Woking debut in a 3–1 home defeat against Lincoln City, playing the full 90 minutes.[53]

On 27 August 2016, Ugwu scored his first Woking goal in a 4–1 defeat against York City, netting the opener in the 8th minute.[54] Two days later, Ugwu went on to score Woking's third against Chester, in the Cards first victory of the 2016–17 campaign.[55] On 18 October 2016, in an FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay against Torquay United, Ugwu scored a brace to send Woking through to the first round.[56] In following round of the FA Cup, Ugwu once again scored a brace to assist Woking to a 4–2 victory over Stockport County.[57] On 26 November 2016, Ugwu scored his first Woking hat-trick in a 3–0 home victory against Gateshead, sealing his 12th goal of the season.[58] On 1 April 2017, Ugwu came off the bench to score the winner in Woking's 2–1 victory over Sutton United, after being dropped for new signing Jamie Lucas.[59] On 17 April 2017, Ugwu scored his 20th goal of the campaign, in Woking's 3–2 away victory against Chester, converting a penalty in the 91st minute.[60]

Chesterfield

[edit]

On 25 May 2017, Ugwu joined League Two side Chesterfield on a two-year deal.[61] On 5 August 2017, Ugwu made his Chesterfield debut during their 3–1 home defeat against Grimsby Town, featuring for the entire 90 minutes.[62] Following sustaining a long-term thigh injury in late 2017, Ugwu returned to action during Chesterfield's penultimate fixture of the season, replacing Jerome Binnom-Williams with nineteen minutes to play in the 2–1 defeat.[63]

Ebbsfleet United

[edit]

Having finished the 2018–19 season on loan at Ebbsfleet United, Ugwu joined the club on a permanent basis on 24 June 2019.[64]

Raith Rovers

[edit]

Ugwu returned to Scotland on 20 August 2020, joining Scottish Championship club Raith Rovers.[65]

Morton

[edit]

Ugwu then moved to another Scottish club, Greenock Morton, in June 2021.[66]

Saudi Arabia

[edit]

In August 2022, Ugwu moved to Saudi Arabia to join second-tier Jeddah Club.[3]

On 2 October 2023, Ugwu joined Saudi Second Division side Al-Entesar.[67]

On 14 September 2024, Ugwu joined First Division side Al-Ain.[68]

Personal life

[edit]

Born in England, Ugwu is of Nigerian descent.[69]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played on 10 November 2024[13][35]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ebbsfleet United (loan) 2011–12 Conference Premier 9 5 0 0 — 1[a] 0 10 5
Yeovil Town (loan) 2012–13 League One 15 3 0 0 2 0 1[b] 0 18 3
Plymouth Argyle (loan) 2012–13 League Two 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Shrewsbury Town (loan) 2013–14 League One 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1
Dunfermline Athletic 2014–15 Scottish League One 14 7 1 0 1 0 2[c] 0 18 7
Yeovil Town 2014–15 League One 22 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 5
Wycombe Wanderers 2015–16 League Two 29 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 32 2
Woking 2016–17 National League 43 17 4 4 — 2[a] 0 49 21
Chesterfield 2017–18 League Two 12 0 0 0 1 0 1[d] 0 14 0
2018–19 National League 7 0 0 0 — 0 0 7 0
Total 19 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 21 0
Boreham Wood (loan) 2018–19 National League 21 4 1 0 — 0 0 22 4
Ebbsfleet United (loan) 2018–19 National League 8 2 0 0 — 0 0 8 2
Ebbsfleet United 2019–20 National League 24 13 3 2 — 1 1 28 16
Raith Rovers 2020–21 Scottish Championship 13 3 2 1 0 0 4[e] 1 19 6
Greenock Morton 2021–22 Scottish Championship 31 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 8
Jeddah 2022–23 Saudi First Division League 30 11 0 0 1 0 0 0 31 11
Al-Entesar 2023–24 Saudi Second Division League 9 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5
Al-Ain 2024–25 Saudi First Division League 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
Career total 305 86 14 7 4 0 11 1 333 96
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy
  5. ^ Appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs

Honours

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Reading

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Gozie Ugwu". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Gozie Ugwu". Reading F.C. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Gozie Ugwu". Twitter. Jeddah Club @Twitter. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b Munford, Colin (8 March 2012). "Ebbsfleet United striker Gozie Ugwu hails team-mates and fans after extending loan". The Reporter. Ilford. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Terry Skiverton: Reading striker Gozie Ugwu a great addition to Yeovil Town squad". Western Morning News. Plymouth. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  6. ^ "Icelandic defender Ivar Ingimarsson to leave Reading". BBC Sport. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Striker Ugwu gets second shot at becoming a Pilgrim". The Herald. Plymouth. 18 January 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Ebbsfleet United sign Gozie Ugwu from Reading". BBC Sport. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  9. ^ Flett, Dave (15 February 2012). "Match report: York City 1, Ebbsfleet United 0 – FA Trophy third round". The Press. York. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  10. ^ Rose, Neil (18 February 2012). "Sorry City are given the Shakes by ten-man Ebbsfleet". Bath Chronicle. Bath. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  11. ^ Munford, Colin (5 March 2012). "Reading loanee Gozie Ugwu extends loan with Ebbsfleet United". The Reporter. Ilford. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  12. ^ Munford, Colin (4 April 2012). "Ugwu loan not extended at Ebbsfleet". The Reporter. Ilford. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  13. ^ a b "Gozie Ugwu". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  14. ^ "Ugwu pens new deal". Reading F.C. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  15. ^ "Yeovil Town sign Reading striker Gozie Ugwu on loan". BBC Sport. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Yeovil Town 3, Colchester United 0: Richard Hinds double sees Glovers through". Western Daily Press. Bristol. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  17. ^ "Scunthorpe 0–4 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Gozie Ugwu: Yeovil Town's League One climb is no surprise to me". Western Gazette. Yeovil. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  19. ^ "Yeovil 2–1 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  20. ^ Sweet, Chris (1 January 2013). "Yeovil Town close in on permanent deal for striker Paddy Madden". Western Gazette. Yeovil. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  21. ^ "Plymouth Argyle sign new striker". The Herald. Plymouth. 18 January 2013. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  22. ^ "Team News: Seven changes". Reading F.C. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  23. ^ "Crawley 1–3 Reading". BBC Sport. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  24. ^ "Ugwu joins Argyle on loan". Reading F.C. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  25. ^ "Good Gozie". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  26. ^ "Gozie Ugwu is in frame for first call to action for Plymouth Argyle". The Herald. Plymouth. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  27. ^ Errington, Chris (9 February 2013). "Jason Banton scores twice to secure a crucial win for Plymouth Argyle". The Herald. Plymouth. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  28. ^ Parsons, Chris (14 February 2013). "More Gozie". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  29. ^ Cowdery, Rick (19 February 2013). "Gozie Extends Stay". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  30. ^ "Plymouth: Gozie Ugwu extends loan from Reading". BBC Sport. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  31. ^ "Reading recall striker Gozie Ugwu from Plymouth Argyle". The Herald. Plymouth. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  32. ^ Media, Argyle (11 March 2013). "Gozie Ugwu Returns to Reading". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  33. ^ "Reading striker joins on loan". Shrewsbury Town F.C. 14 November 2013.
  34. ^ "Port Vale 3–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  35. ^ a b "Gozie Ugwu". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  36. ^ "Graham Turner Post Oldham Athletic". Shrewsbury Town F.C. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  37. ^ "18 contracts offered". Reading F.C. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  38. ^ Watts, Charles (13 May 2014). "Departures continue at Reading FC as Gozie Ugwu is released". Reading Post. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  39. ^ "Strike duo to join Daggers on Spain pre-season trip". Barking and Dagenham Post. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  40. ^ "Watch: Farnborough 1 Oxford United 2 + extended highlights". Oxford Mail. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  41. ^ "Ugwu for Dunfermline". Dunfermline Athletic F.C. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  42. ^ Hart, Ross (5 August 2014). "Dunfermline Athletic send Raith Rovers out of Petrofac Training Cup". Dunfermline Press. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  43. ^ "Dunfermline Athletic vs. Airdrieonians". Soccerway. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  44. ^ "Dunfermline Athletic vs. Stirling Albion". Soccerway. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  45. ^ "Gozie Ugwu: Yeovil Town hand short-term deal to forward". BBC Sport. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  46. ^ "Yeovil Town: Paul Sturrock releases 11 players". BBC Sport. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  47. ^ "Ainsworth lands exciting striker on permanent deal". Wycombe Wanderers Official Site. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  48. ^ "Wycombe Wanderers vs. Plymouth Argyle". Soccerway. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  49. ^ "Leyton Orient vs. Wycombe Wanderers". Soccerway. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  50. ^ "Plymouth Argyle vs. Wycombe Wanderers". Soccerway. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  51. ^ "Ainsworth holds contract talks". Wycombe Wanderers Official Site. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  52. ^ "Cards make third signing of the day". Woking F.C. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  53. ^ "Woking 1-3 Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  54. ^ "York City 4-1 Woking". BBC Sport. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  55. ^ "Woking 3-1 Chester". BBC Sport. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  56. ^ "Woking vs. Torquay United". Soccerway. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  57. ^ "Stockport County 2-4 Woking". BBC Sport. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  58. ^ "Woking 3-0 Gateshead". BBC Sport. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  59. ^ "Woking 2-1 Sutton United". BBC Sport. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  60. ^ "Chester 2-3 Woking". BBC Sport. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  61. ^ "Gozie Ugwu: Chesterfield agree deal with former Woking striker". BBC Sport. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  62. ^ "Chesterfield vs. Grimsby Town". Soccerway. 19 August 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
  63. ^ "Chesterfield vs. Wycombe Wanderers". Soccerway. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  64. ^ "Ebbsfleet United sign former Chesterfield striker Gozie Ugwu". Kent Messenger. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  65. ^ "Gozie Ugwu". Raith Rovers. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  66. ^ "BREAKING | Gozie Ugwu Signs for Morton". 28 June 2021.
  67. ^ "x.com".
  68. ^ "المهاجم الانجليزي ينضم لكتيبة العيـن".
  69. ^ "Two players of Nigerian descent named in latest SPFL Team of the Week | All Nigeria Soccer". www.allnigeriasoccer.com.
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