Chiedozie Ogbene Explained

Chiedozie Ogbene
Fullname:Chiedozie Somkelechukwu Ogbene[1]
Birth Date:1 May 1997
Birth Place:Lagos, Nigeria
Height:1.81 m
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Luton Town
Clubnumber:7
Youthclubs1:Tramore Athletic
Youthclubs2:College Corinthians
Youthclubs3:Kilreen Celtic
Youthclubs4:Everton
Years1:2015–2016
Clubs1:Cork City
Caps1:9
Goals1:3
Years2:2017
Clubs2:Limerick
Caps2:32
Goals2:8
Years3:2018–2019
Clubs3:Brentford
Caps3:6
Goals3:0
Years4:2018–2019
Clubs4:Exeter City (loan)
Caps4:14
Goals4:0
Years5:2019–2023
Clubs5:Rotherham United
Caps5:120
Goals5:12
Years6:2023–
Clubs6:Luton Town
Caps6:32
Goals6:4
Nationalyears1:2021–
Nationalteam1:Republic of Ireland
Nationalcaps1:20
Nationalgoals1:4
Club-Update:13:33, 17 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:23:57, 23 March 2024 (UTC)

Chiedozie Somkelechukwu Ogbene (born 1 May 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger for club 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

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Ogbene moved with his family (including two brothers and two sisters) to Ireland in 2005,[2] [3] after his father got a job in the country,[4] rejecting an offer of a job in Florida in the process.[5] He grew up in the Grange area of Cork. He attended Bunscoil Chríost Rí as his primary school and Coláiste Chríost Rí as his secondary school.[3] He is a supporter of Liverpool.[3]

Club career

Ogbene played Gaelic football for Nemo Rangers and association football for Munster Senior League clubs Tramore Athletic, College Corinthians, Kilreen Celtic and Everton.[2] [3] 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.[6] He quit Gaelic football to pursue his dream of playing Premier League football.[7]

He signed for Cork City in August 2015.[3] He won the Enda McGuill Cup with their under-19 youth team, and the 2016 FAI Cup with their senior team.[3]

He signed for fellow League of Ireland club Limerick in January 2017.[8] He was nominated three times for the League of Ireland Player of the Month award.[9]

In November 2017 he was linked with a transfer to English club Aston Villa.[10]

On 30 January 2018, Ogbene signed for English club Brentford on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[11] He made his league debut on 10 April 2018, making one further appearance that season. He moved on loan to Exeter City in August 2018.[12]

On 29 August 2019, Ogbene joined League One club Rotherham United for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.[13] [14] 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.[15] He was injured between October 2020 and April 2021.[16]

On 3 April 2022 he scored a goal as Rotherham won the EFL Trophy in a 4–2 victory over Sutton United.[17]

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.[18] [19]

International career

He was eligible to represent both Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at international level.[3] In July 2020, Ogbene approached Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny to declare his wish to play for the national team.[15] 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.[20] [21] [22] He said he hoped to be a role model for other Irish players from a similar background.[23] He made his debut on 8 June 2021 against Hungary, becoming the first African-born player to represent the Republic of Ireland.[24] 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.[25]

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.[26]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Cork City2015LOI Premier Division1000000010
2016LOI Premier Division8310000093
Total93100000103
Limerick2017LOI Premier Division328200000348
Brentford2017–18Championship2000000020
2018–19Championship4020100070
Total6020100090
Exeter City (loan)2018–19League Two130000040170
Rotherham United2019–20League One251300010291
2020–21Championship 110001000120
2021–22League One453301041534
2022–23Championship3981021429
Total1201270415113614
Luton Town2023–24Premier League3044120365
2024–25Championship2000000020
Total324412000385
Career total21227161719124430

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Republic of Ireland202152
202281
202361
202410
Total204

Scores and results list the Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ogbene goal.

List of international goals scored by Chiedozie Ogbene
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
19 October 2021Bakı Olimpiya Stadionu, Baku, Azerbaijan 3–03–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
align=center 2 14 November 2021 Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg align=center 2–0 align=center 3–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
326 March 2022 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland 1–12–2Friendly[27]
422 March 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland 3–23–2Friendly

Honours

Cork City

2016[3]

Rotherham United

2021–22[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023/24 Premier League squad lists . Premier League . 13 September 2023 . 13 September 2023.
  2. Web site: 'I had to pick between soccer and Gaelic football but this is the dream' - Chiedozie Ogbene. 27 December 2016. 11 April 2018. The 42.
  3. Web site: TEN THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT CHIEDOZIE OGBENE. 30 January 2018. 11 April 2018. Brentford F.C.. 20 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220420130812/https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2018/january/ten-things-you-didnt-know-about-chiedoze-ogbene/. dead.
  4. Web site: Africa-born Ogbene on his 'different journey' to Republic of Ireland squad. BBC Sport.
  5. Web site: Rising Ireland star Chiedozie Ogbene grateful father chose Cork over Florida. Largs and Millport Weekly News.
  6. News: 'Incredibly proud day for the club'. Hogan Stand. 9 June 2021.
  7. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene: Luton Town winger reveals he quit Gaelic football to follow his Premier League dream. Sky Sports.
  8. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene leaves Cork City for Limerick. 19 January 2017. 11 April 2018. Ryan Kelly. Goal.com.
  9. Web site: Limerick FC winger Chiedozie Ogbene nominated for Player of Month award. 2 November 2017. 11 April 2018. Colm Kinsella. Limerick Leader.
  10. Web site: Aston Villa targeting talented Chiedozie Ogbene. 30 November 2017. 11 April 2018. John Fallon and Liam Mackey. Irish Examiner.
  11. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene: Brentford sign forward from Irish side Limerick. 30 January 2018. 11 April 2018. BBC Sport.
  12. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene: Exeter City sign Brentford winger on loan until January. 21 August 2018. 31 August 2018. BBC Sport.
  13. Web site: SIGNING Millers land winger from Brentford. Rotherham United F.C.. 29 August 2019. 29 August 2019.
  14. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene: Rotherham United sign Brentford winger. 29 August 2019. BBC Sport. 30 August 2019.
  15. News: FAI begin eligibility process after Ogbene expresses desire to represent Ireland . 8 July 2020 . The 42 . 8 July 2020.
  16. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene determined to make his mark on Championship after injury nightmare. Joel. Slattery. 28 April 2021. Irish Examiner.
  17. News: Rotherham United 4–2 Sutton United . Chris . Peddy . BBC Sport . 3 April 2022 . 3 April 2022.
  18. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene joins Luton Town!. www.lutontown.co.uk.
  19. Web site: Luton sign Ireland winger Ogbene from Rotherham. www.bbc.co.uk.
  20. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene – Rotherham United winger eager to be unleashed for Republic of Ireland. yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  21. Web site: Meet Chiedozie Ogbene, the explosive winger who's been called into the Ireland squad. 24 May 2021. Extra.ie.
  22. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene: 'I am Nigerian by birth but grew up in Cork, so see myself as an Irishman'. John. Fallon. 30 May 2021. Irish Examiner.
  23. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene is blazing a trail with Republic. independent.
  24. Web site: Goalkeepers save Republic in Hungary. BBC Sport.
  25. Web site: Ogbene calls for Uefa action over booing. BBC Sport.
  26. Web site: Chiedozie Ogbene reflects on 'special night' after Republic end wait for a win. 10 October 2021. The Independent.
  27. Web site: Republic of Ireland 2 Belgium 2. 26 March 2022. BBC Sport. 29 March 2022.