Udo Nwoko

Udochukwu Nwoko (born 15 October 1984) is a Maltese-Nigerian footballer who currently plays for Cypriot Third Division side MEAP Nisou, where he plays as a midfielder.

Udo Nwoko
Personal information
Full name Udochukwu Nwoko
Date of birth (1984-10-15) 15 October 1984
Place of birth Abia, Nigeria
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Youth career
Hibernians
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Hibernians 19 (5)
2004–2005 Xewkija Tigers 25 (18)
2005–2006 Mosta 27 (10)
2006–2007 Hibernians 17 (5)
2007 → Marsaxlokk 18 (3)
2007–2009 Leixões S.C. 29 (7)
2009 Náutico 0 (0)
2009–2010 Panthrakikos 9 (2)
2010 Doxa Katokopia 18 (4)
2010–2011 Pas Hamedan 15 (6)
2012 Neath 12 (2)
2012–2013 Hibernians 8 (0)
2013 Floriana 11 (1)
2014–2015 Gudja United
2015–2016 St. George's
2017 MFK Topvar Topoľčany 8 (1)
2017– MEAP Nisou[1] 12 (1)
National team
2007–2010 Malta 15 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 June 2014

Playing career

Born in Abia, Nigeria, Nwoko moved to Malta at the age of 14 in the hope that it could one day lead him to one of the top leagues in Europe. He started his career at Hibernians. His main break came during the 2002–03 season, where he made 16 appearances for the club, but failed to find the net.

He then moved to Xewkija Tigers of the Gozo Football League in 2004, and transformed into a predator in front of goal. Nwoko hit 18 goals in just 25 appearances, and became one of the hottest prospects in Maltese football.

Following the successful spell with Xewkija Tigers, Nwoko found himself back in the Maltese Premier League joining Mosta for the 2005–06 season. He made 27 appearances and scored 10 goals for the club, but it wasn't enough to save the club, and they were relegated by the difference of a point.

Despite the relegation, Nwoko's form hadn't gone unnoticed and was re-signed by his first club Hibernians for the 2006–07 season, getting another chance to play in the Maltese Premier League. He made 17 appearances with the club and scored 5 goal.

He then moved on loan to fellow Maltese Premier League side Marsaxlokk for the remainder of 2007. He made 18 appearances, and score 3 goals; he did however finish the season as a part of the 2006–07 championship-winning squad and won his first ever Maltese Premier League.[2]

In 2007, he moved to Portuguese club Leixões, where he marked his debut with a goal against giants Benfica. He was linked to a £1.25m transfer to the Premiership club Reading in January 2008, but an unfortunate injury at the short transfer window stopped the transfer. .[3] Nwoko recently terminated his contract with Portuguese club Leixoes.[4] He signed a short contract with a Brazilian top league club, on 21 March 2009 Clube Náutico Capibaribe in Brazil.[5] In summer 2009, he signed for Panthrakikos F.C. in the Greek Super League, and left at the end of the season when the club was relegated.[6] In January 2010, he signed for Doxa Katokopia in the Cypriot First Division, staying there for just 6 months before in June 2010, he signed for Pas Hamedan in the Iran Pro League.

He signed for Floriana in January 2013. On 27 June 2014 he signed with Gudja United. After one season with Gudja he signed a one-year contract with St. George's on 15 July 2015.

On 17 March 2017 Udo signed with MFK Topvar Topoľčany from the 3. Liga in Slovakia. He won 8 caps and scored 1 goal.[7]

International career

Nwoko was called up by Malta for the first time ahead of a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying matches against Hungary in Budapest on 13 October 2007 and also played at home to Moldova four days later. He was available for selection after being granted Maltese citizenship in August 2007.[8]

Honours

References
  1. National Football Teams profile
  2. Camisa 12 Timbu - O 12° jogador do Náutico
  3. "Udo Nwoko linked with £1.25m move to Reading". TimesofMalta.com. 29 December 2009. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  5. "O Náutico Unido é Imbatível."
  6. "Ο Νιγηριανός Νwoko στον Πανθρακικό "
  7. Stats from Ligy.sk
  8. "Nwoko earns Malta call-up". uefa.com. 10 October 2007. Archived from the original on 1 January 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2008.
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