| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Okechukwu Uchebo | ||
| Date of birth | February 2, 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Enugu, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 2.04 m (6 ft 8 1⁄2 in)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | VVV-Venlo | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2008–2010 | Enugu Rangers | ||
| 2010– | VVV-Venlo | 37 | (5) |
| National team | |||
| 2009 | Nigeria U-20 | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 October 2011. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
Michael Okechukwu Uchebo (born 2 February 1990) is a Nigerian footballer. A striker, he currently plays for VVV-Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie. He is a graduate of the Enugu Rangers Youth System and a Nigerian Under-20 international.
Uchebo began his career in the youth team of Enugu Rangers in March 2007 and soon rose through the ranks, muscling his way into the first team of the Elite club scoring and setting up a number of goals. Uchebo signed a three year contract with VVV Venlo in October 2009.[2] Venlo's football director Mario Captien described him as physically very strong striker who is a target man at the front.[3][4] [5] Dutch Voetbal International, referred Uchebo as the new Kanu Nwankwo.[6]
In November 2011, Venlo's chairman Hai Berden revealed that the club is in talks with English side Stoke City regarding the transfer of Uchebo.[7]
Uchebo is also member of the U-20 Nigerian National Football Team and in August 2008 he scored his first goal for Nigeria in a match against Togo in the West African Football Union tournament.[8] In Feb 2009 against South Africa in the Confederation of African Football U-20 2009 African Youth Championship tournament, Uchebo scored the opening goal for the Nigerian Flying Eagles.[9] He was described in the media as the most sought after player among the Flying Eagles squad in the tournament.[10]
In June 2011 Uchebo was called up by current Olympic team and and National U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen for the crucial return leg of the Olympic qualifiers against Tanzania. [11]
In October 2011 U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen visited the netherlands and met with officials of VVV Venlo to secure the release of Uchebo to participate the inaugural edition of the CAF U-23 championship in Morroco. [12]
|
|||||