Ikechukwu Uche

Ikechukwu Uche Biography / Profile

Ikechukwu Uche was born on January 5th, 1984 in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. His name, Ikechukwu, means "God's Power" in Igbo. He is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish club Gimnàstic de Tarragona.

Ikechukwu Uche Age

Ikechukwu Uche is 40 years old.

Ikechukwu Uche Early Life

Uche grew up in the city of Aba along with his elder brother, Kalu, who is also a footballer. Uche's career began with Amanze United and Iwuanyanwu Nationale. At 18, he moved to Racing de Ferrol in the Spanish second division, appearing in 24 games in his second season, which ended in relegation for the Galician team.

Ikechukwu Uche Career

Uche then joined another club in the Spanish second level, Recreativo de Huelva, for a fee of US $300,000, and scored 12 goals in his first year, becoming the league's top scorer in the 2005–06 campaign at 20 years and 28 appearances (with five braces), as the Andalusians returned – as champions – to La Liga after a three-year absence. In his first top flight season, Uche scored on eight occasions. Notably, he netted in three consecutive matches in November 2006 (with wins at Celta de Vigo and against CA Osasuna), helping Recre finish eight.

Uche joined Madrid's Getafe CF for 2007–08, mainly being used as a substitute. On 29 November 2008, also from the bench, he scored in a 3–1 home win over Real Madrid. Real Zaragoza, recently returned to the top flight, agreed terms to sign Uche in July 2009, subject to medical. He was presented officially on the 22nd, and signed a four-year contract; in only his second match, a 1–4 loss at Sevilla FC, he suffered a severe knee injury, going on to miss seven months.

Uche recovered fully for Zaragoza's 2010–11 pre-season. However, he soon suffered another knee injury, being ruled out for another six months; his return to action took place on 19 February 2011 as he played 20 minutes in a 0–1 home loss against Atlético Madrid, hitting David de Gea's bar in the dying minutes of the game after an individual effort. On 2 March 2011, Uche made his first start of the season, at home against Athletic Bilbao. On the 55th minute, he scored the final 2–1 for the Aragonese – his first goal since May 2009 – and cried profusely as he celebrated.

On the last day of the 2011 summer transfer window, Uche signed with Villarreal CF, being immediately loaned out to Granada CF. On 17 September, he scored the game's only goal against the team that held his rights, in a home fixture. Subsequently, returned to the Yellow Submarine, Uche led his team in scoring as it returned to the top division in 2013. Highlights included braces in home wins over CD Mirandés (2–0), Sporting de Gijón (2–1), Girona FC (4–1) and at Racing de Santander (3–0). On 6 January 2014, back in the main category, he scored his first hat-trick as a professional to help to a 5–2 away routing of Rayo Vallecano. He scored a total of 33 goals for Villareal.

On 20 June 2015, Uche signed with Mexican side Tigres UANL for €3.5 on a three-year contract. On 2nd February of the following year he returned to Spain, being loaned to Málaga CF. On 10 August 2016, Uche agreed to a one-year deal with Gimnàstic de Tarragona in the Spanish second division. Ayear later, he extended his contract until 2019.

Uche made his debut for Nigeria in 2007. He was part of the squad that competed in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, helping the Super Eagles to the quarterfinals. He was called up to the 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, contributing with four scoreless appearances to the eventual champions. He scored a total of 20 goals in 19 apperances with the Super Eagles.

Ikechukwu Uche Personal Life

Uche's older brother, Kalu Uche, is also a footballer. Also a forward, he too spent most of his senior career in Spain (they are not related to two other players, Uche Okechukwu and Ikechukwu Kalu). In 2011, he broke up with popular Nigerian Actress, Uche Jumbo, after 10 years of courtship. The former Villarreal FC of Spain striker is rumoured to be in love with Ruth Okoro, the Ex-wife of Ini Edo’s husband. When quizzed about this, he refused to confirm or deny the story.

Ikechukwu Uche Awards

After winning the African Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles in 2013, he was awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by former president Goodluck Jonathan.