Ifeanyi Udeze

Ifeanyi Udeze Biography / Profile

Ifeanyi Udeze was born on July 21st, 1980 in Lagos, Nigeria. He is a retired professional footballer who played as a left back and often as a centre back. He is an indigene of Imo State.

Ifeanyi Udeze Age

Ifeanyi Udeze is 44 years old.

Ifeanyi Udeze Early Life

Udeze started playing football in the streets of Ajegunle. He played series of grassroots soccer competitions before joining Bendel Insurance FC in 1997 and Kavala FC in Greece, the following year, to commence my professional career.

Ifeanyi Udeze Career

Udeze played for clubs such as Bendel Insurance FC, AO Kavalas (Greece), and PAOK Thessaloniki, before joining West Bromwich Albion in 2003. In his first season with the Albion, he played in the Premier League, joining the club on loan in the latter stages of the season after which Albion were relegated. He was released from AEK Athens on January 2007, six months after signing a three-year contract on 11 August 2006. On 4 July 2007 he returned to PAOK FC, signing a two-year deal. A niggling knee injury prevented him from grabbing a first team spot and he was released after a year at the club.

Udeze first came into international limelight at the inaugural UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup held in Portugal in 1997, a tournament where Spain's Xavi Hernandez and Portugal's Simao made their mark. He was a member of the Fanny Amun-led Nigerian squad that beat Spain 3–2 to win the tournament. Some members of the squad included Rabiu Afolabi, Joseph Enakarhire, Bright Igbinadolor, Chijioke Nwankpa, Hashimu Garba, and Mohammed Aliyu Datti. Having made his full international debut in 2001, Udeze went on to feature for Nigeria at the 2002 African Cup of Nations and 2004, and the 2002 World Cup, playing two games. At the 2002 African Cup of Nations held in Mali, he was selected among the CAF Team of the Tournament. During his playing days, he was Super Eagles' second choice left-back to former Chelsea left-back, Celestine Babayaro. On some occasions, he played together with Babayaro; both switching positions from the left full-back to the left wing of the midfield, often confusing opponents with their identical style of play. Udeze was noted for his feistiness, intelligent marking and remarkable recovery rate. He was Nigeria's most fouled defender in games he featured in. Whenever he joined the attack, he was seldom dispossessed of the ball without winning a free-kick, corner or throw-in. Udeze last featured for Nigeria in a 2006 World Cup qualifier against Angola national football team in 2005.

Ifeanyi Udeze Personal Life

Udeze and his wife, Ifeoma, got married in 1997 and their union was blessed with three children. In 2008, he temporarily separated with his wife and was rumoured to be dating an actress known as Halima.

In 2015, the ex international was ejected from his Festac duplex apartment over unpaid wages. It was also alleged that the player now lives at his late father-in-law's house on Chidi street, Awodi-ora Estate in Ajegunle, Lagos.

In September 2017, Brila FM, Africa’s first and Nigeria’s only existing Sports Radio Station, announced that Udeze will join its esteemed team from October 1, 2017.