)
The once prolific Nigerian forward remains a cult hero among fans of the Super Eagles and several Spanish clubs
One of Nigeria’s most prolific strikers in the history of the Super Eagles, Ikechukwu Uche made a name for himself in the colours of top LaLiga clubs like Villarreal and was a cult hero in the Spanish first division.
With 19 goals in 46 games, Uche ranks as the fifth-highest goalscorer in Super Eagles history and is also on the all-time top scorer’s list of Villarreal.
)
After retiring in 2019, the striker has lived a taciturn life, but still remains one of the most adored Nigerian strikers of his generation and it is worth remembering these seven things about the diminutive striker.
Ikechukwu Uche Profile
Full name: Ikechukwu Uche
Birth date: January 5 1984
Age: 40
Nationality: Nigerian
Place of birth: Aba, Abia, Nigeria
Height: 5ft 7in
Position: Striker
Former clubs: Amanze United, Iwuanyanwo Nationale (Heartland United), Racing Ferrol, Recreativo Huelva, Getafe, Real Zaragoza, Villarreal, Granada, UANL, Malaga, Gimnastic Tarragona
Spouse: Reportedly married
Net worth: Unknown
Ikechukwu Uche Background
Ikechukwu Uche was born in Aba town, Abia state in the Eastern part of Nigeria and is from the Igbo tribe. He is from a footballing family and his brother Kalu Uche also starred for the Super Eagles and clubs in LaLiga, just like his sibling did.
Ikechukwu Uche took his first steps in football with Amanze United in Abia state before joining Iwuanyanwo Nationale, currently known as Heartland United for one year.
Following his one year with Iwuanyanwo Nationale, Ikechukwu made his first move abroad, joining Racing Ferrol as an 18-year-old in 2002.
Which clubs did Ikechukwu Uche play for?
Ikechukwu Uche played for several clubs during his storied career, spending most of his time in Spain’s first and second tiers.
Nigeria: Amanze United, Iwuanyanwo Nationale (Heartland United)
Spain: Racing Ferrol, Recreativo Huelva, Getafe, Real Zaragoza, Villarreal, Granada, Malaga, Gimnastic Tarragona
Mexico: UANL
Ikechukwu Uche career
Club level:
Uche then transferred to Spanish second-division club Recreativo de Huelva for a fee of $300,000. In his first year, he scored 12 goals, becoming the league's top scorer for the 2005–06 season with 20 goals in 28 appearances (including five braces). His performance helped Recreativo return to La Liga as champions after a three-year absence.
In his first top-flight season, Uche scored eight goals for Recreativo, including a sensational goal to crown a 3-0 win over Real Madrid, with the Nigerian striker leaving Fabio Cannavaro, who had been crowned the World Footballer of the Year a day earlier in his wake.
)
For the 2007–08 season, Uche joined Getafe CF in Madrid, but was mostly restricted to a substitute role at the club. On November 29, 2008, he came off the bench to score in a 3–1 home win over Real Madrid. In July 2009, Real Zaragoza, recently promoted to La Liga, agreed terms to sign Uche, pending a medical. He officially signed a four-year contract on July 22. However, in his second match, a 1–4 loss at Sevilla FC, he suffered a severe knee injury, sidelining him for seven months.
Uche fully recovered in time for Zaragoza's 2010–11 pre-season but soon suffered another knee injury, ruling him out for another six months. He returned to action on February 19, 2011, playing 20 minutes in a 0–1 home loss against Atlético Madrid, where he hit the bar in the dying minutes. On March 2, 2011, Uche made his first start of the season and scored the winning goal in a 2–1 home victory over Athletic Bilbao, his first goal since May 2009, celebrating with tears.
On the last day of the 2011 summer transfer window, Uche signed with Villarreal CF and was immediately loaned out to Granada CF. On September 17, he scored the only goal in a home game against Villarreal. Upon returning to Villarreal, Uche led the team in scoring, helping them return to La Liga in 2013. His highlights included braces in home wins over CD Mirandés, Sporting de Gijón, Girona FC, and Racing de Santander.
Ikechukwu Uche scored his first professional hat-trick in a 5–2 away win over Rayo Vallecano on January 6, 2014. He scored a total of 33 goals for Villarreal and is the 11th-highest goal scorer in the club’s history after recently being displaced from the 10th position by fellow Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze
)
On June 20, 2015, Uche signed with Mexican side Tigres UANL for €3.5 million on a three-year contract. On February 2 of the following year, he returned to Spain on loan to Malaga CF. On August 10, 2016, Uche signed a one-year deal with Gimnastic de Tarragona in the Spanish second division and extended his contract until 2019 a year later.
International career
Uche made his debut for Nigeria in 2007. He was part of the squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, helping the Super Eagles reach the quarterfinals.
)
He was also called up for the victorious 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, but could not find the back of the net in his four tournament appearances.
He scored a total of 19 goals in 46 appearances for the Super Eagles and is the fifth-highest goalscorer in the Nigerian national team's history.
Ikechukwu Uche Stats
National team: Ikechukwu Uche has scored the fifth-most goals for the Super Eagles, with 19 goals in 46 appearances, netting 0.41 goals per game for Nigeria.
Racing Ferrol: No goals in 5 appearances
Recreativo Huelva: 14 goals in 56 appearances
Getafe: 14 goals in 65 appearances
Real Zaragoza: 1 goal in 18 appearances
Villarreal: 36 goals in 98 appearances
Granada: 3 goals in 35 appearances
UANL: 1 goal in 1 appearance
Malaga: No goals in 3 appearances
Gimnastic Tarragona: 21 goals in 76 appearances
Ikechukwu Uche Achievements
Despite his relatively lowkey career, Ikechukwu Uche had several achievements which decorated his playing career.
2005–06 Segunda Division with Recreativo Huelva
2005–06 Segunda Division Pichichi Trophy as top scorer
2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria: 2013[23]
Member of the Order of the Niger in 2013
Ikechukwu Uche wife and family
Ikechukwu Uche prefers to keep his personal life private but the former Super Eagles striker was rumoured to have gotten married in 2012 to an American-based Nigerian named Ruth Okoro. Uche has never confirmed nor denied the reports, only stating his preference for privacy.
Ikechukwu Uche net worth
Ikechukwu Uchei's net worth is currently unknown, but the former Getafe and Recreativo Huelva striker is believed to have earned upwards of $4,793,594 during his heyday in Spain.
Ikechukwu Uche on social media
The retired striker can be found on the following social media handles:
Instagram: @ike_uche
X: @ikeuche9
Snapchat: ikeuche
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)