{{Short description|German footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = David Odogu | image = | caption = | fullname = David Uyoyo Odogu | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2006|6|3|df=y}} | birth_place = Berlin, Germany | height = 1.91 m<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/player/david-odogu|title=David Odogu|website=Bundesliga|accessdate=2 January 2024}}</ref> | position = Centre-back | currentclub = AC Milan | clubnumber = 27 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Steglitzer SC Südwest | youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Hertha Zehlendorf | youthyears3 = 2019–2020 | youthclubs3 = Union Berlin | youthyears4 = 2020–2025 | youthclubs4 = VfL Wolfsburg | years1 = 2023–2025 | clubs1 = VfL Wolfsburg | caps1 = 3 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2025– | clubs2 = AC Milan | caps2 = 2 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2025– | clubs3 = Milan Futuro ({{Tooltip|res.|Reserve team}}) | caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2021–2022 | nationalteam1 = Germany U16 | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2022–2023 | nationalteam2 = Germany U17 | nationalcaps2 = 12 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2024 | nationalteam3 = Germany U18 | nationalcaps3 = 3 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2024– | nationalteam4 = Germany U19 | nationalcaps4 = 3 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalyears5 = 2025– | nationalteam5 = Germany U20 | nationalcaps5 = 4 | nationalgoals5 = 0 | club-update = 23:30, 21 March 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 22:45, 31 March 2026 (UTC) | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|GER}}}} {{Medal|Comp|FIFA U-17 World Cup}} {{Medal|W|2023 Indonesia|}} {{Medal|Comp|UEFA European Under-17 Championship}} {{Medal|W|2023 Hungary|}} }}
'''Davide Uyoyo Odogu''' (born 3 June 2006) is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for {{Italian football updater|Milan}} club AC Milan. He is a German youth international.<ref>{{Soccerway|david-uyoyo-odogu/760160}}</ref>
==Club career== ===VfL Wolfsburg=== Born in Berlin, Odogu played for the youth academies of Steglitzer SC Südwest and Hertha Zehlendorf, before spending a season with the youth academy of Union Berlin. He moved to Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg in 2020, initially joining the youth academy.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/sport-leidenschaft/1-fc-union-berlin/1-fc-union-berlin-in-david-odogu-steckt-ein-hauch-der-eisernen-aus-koepenick-li.2165520 |website=Berliner-Zeiting|accessdate=2 January 2024|title= There is a touch of the Iron Men from Köpenick in David Odog|first=Andreas|last=Baingo|date=12 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de/sport/regionalsport/wolfsburg/article238097713/David-Odogu-Zwischen-Schulbank-und-Profi-Traum.html |website=Braunsxhweiger-Zeitung|accessdate=2 January 2024|title= David Odogu: Zwischen Schulbank und Profi-Traum|date=7 April 2023}}</ref> In December 2022, he signed a new contract with VfL Wolfsburg.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=45859|website=Allnigeriasoccer.com|accessdate=2 January 2023|title= Talented German-Nigerian defender extends Wolfsburg contract|date=December 22, 2022}}</ref> In January 2023, he attended mid-season training camp with the VfL Wolfsburg first-team squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sport.sky.de/fussball/artikel/bundesliga-fuenf-spannende-buli-talente-auf-der-watchlist/12782152/34943|website=sky.de|accessdate=2 December 2023|title=Fairytale story included: Five exciting talents on the watchlist|first=Yannick|last=Smuda|date=January 8, 2023}}</ref> Odogu finished runner-up with VfL Wolfsburg under-17 in the U17 Nachwuchsliga at the end of the 2022–23 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/matchwinner-cherny-ein-geiles-gefuehl-947038/artikel|website=Kicker|access-date=2 January 2024|title= Match winner Cherny: "An awesome feeling"|date=16 April 2023}}</ref>
===AC Milan=== On 1 September 2025, he moved to Italy and joined Serie A club AC Milan, permanently for an estimated €10 million transfer fee ahead of the 2025–26 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/milan/?action=read&idnet=bWlsYW5uZXdzLml0LTU4OTA3NA|publisher=tuttomercatoweb.com |title=Ufficiale: Depositato il contratto di David Odogu |date=1 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/it/liste/odogu-nuovo-giocatore-milan-ufficiale-cifre-formula-affare/blt5aa92fe76edd2266#cs3331a23b4f618c3e |publisher=Goal.com|title=Odogu è un nuovo giocatore del Milan, è ufficiale: le cifre e la formula dell'affare |date=1 September 2025}}</ref>
On 23 September, Odogu made his debut for the club in a 3–0 Coppa Italia home victory over Lecce, substituting Strahinja Pavlović.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/coppa-italia/2025-09-23/cruising-into-the-round-of-16 |title=CRUISING INTO THE ROUND OF 16 |publisher=acmilan.com |date=23 September 2025 }}</ref> One day later, he debuted for AC Milan's reserve team Milan Futuro on 24 September, starting in a goalless draw Serie D Group B away match against Casatese Merate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/milan-futuro/2025-09-24/goalless-draw-away-at-merate |title=GOALLESS DRAW AWAY AT MERATE |website=acmilan.com |date=September 24, 2025|accessdate=September 24, 2025}}</ref> On 28 December, he made his league debut with AC Milan substituting Fikayo Tomori during the second half of a 3-0 win over Hellas Verona.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/nkunku-double-gives-milan-3-0-win-over-verona-2025-12-28/|website=Reuters~accessdate=29 Dec 2025|date=28 Dec 2025|title= Nkunku double gives Milan 3-0 win over Verona }}</ref>
==International career== A Germany youth international,<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de/sport/vfl-wolfsburg/article240643272/WM-Abenteuer-von-VfL-Talent-Odogu-in-Indonesien-geht-weiter.html |website=Braunschweiger-Zeitung.de|accessdate=2 January 2024|title= VfL talent Odogu's World Cup adventure in Indonesia continues |date=November 21, 2023|first=Daniel|last= Mau}}</ref> Odogu featured for the Germany side that won the final of the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Hungary, and the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=49649|website=All Nigeria Soccer|accessdate=2 January 2024|title=Osawe sees red, Odogu puts in solid shift as Germany lift Fifa U17 World Cup for the first time|date=December 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportschau.de/fussball/u21/video-interview-david-odogu-100.html|website=Sportschau|accessdate=2 January 2024|title= Odogu - "There is an incredible mentality in the team"|date=December 4, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=49645#google_vignette|website=All Nigeria Soccer|title='Greatest success of our careers for me and the team' - Germany CB Odogu ahead of U17 World Cup final|date= December 2, 2023}}</ref>
==Style of play== Odogu is described as a tall defender, capable of playing on the right or left side of central defence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soccernet.ng/2023/11/eligible-for-nigerias-super-eagles-but-soaring-elsewhere-meet-germanys-world-cup-star-david-odogu.html|website=Soccernet.ng|accessdate=2 January 2024|title= Eligible for Nigeria's Super Eagles, but soaring elsewhere: Meet Germany's World Cup star David Odogu|first=Kelvin|last=Omachonu}}</ref> Combining physical strength, with speed and a good tackling ability he has been compared to German international defender Antonio Rüdiger.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fussballeck.com/bundesliga/vfl-wolfsburg/der-naechste-antonio-ruediger-chelsea-buhlt-um-deutsches-u17-talent/|website=Fussballeck|accessdate=2 December 2023|title= "The next Antonio Rüdiger": Chelsea is courting German U17 talent|first=Markus|last=Krause|date=1 January 2024}}</ref>
==Personal life== Born in Germany, Odogu has Nigerian heritage through his father.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/winners-osakwe-and-david-odogu-nigeria-eligble-stars-help-germany-reach-u17wc-final-2023112907172043657|website=Pulsesports.ng|accessdate=2 January 2024|title= Winners Osakwe and David Odogu: Nigeria-eligble stars help Germany reach U17WC fina|first=zuchukwu|last=Akawor|date=29 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.waz-online.de/sport/regional/vfl-top-talent-odogu-der-sohn-eines-pianisten-lebt-in-wolfsburg-den-profi-traum-635YSK3LCFCZ5GJ7UVKEPKWDG4.html|website=Waz|accessdate=2 January 2024|title= VfL top talent Odogu: The son of a pianist is living the professional dream in Wolfsburg|date=31 March 2003}}</ref> His parents and his sister attended the 2023 UEFA European U17 Championship final, which Germany won against France, but Odogu didn't play however. While he was away he continued with his education, and even sat exams in History and Geography during the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/weltmeister-odogu-fremde-menschen-haben-im-zug-fuer-mich-geklatscht-982968/artikel|website=Kicker|access-date=2 January 2024|title= World champion Odogu: "Strangers clapped for me on the train|date=12 May 2023}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 21 March 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup{{efn|Includes Coppa Italia}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="2"|VfL Wolfsburg |2024–25 |Bundesliga |3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !3!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!3!!0 |- |rowspan="2"|AC Milan |2025–26 |Serie A |2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||3||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !2!!0!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!0!!0!!3!!0 |- |rowspan="2"|Milan Futuro |2025–26 |Serie D |3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||3||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !3!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!0!!0!!3!!0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !8!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!9!!0 |} ;Notes {{notelist}}
==Honours==
'''Germany U17''' *UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2023<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0282-182989bb7eb4-4fac0025443c-1000--germany-take-title-with-shoot-out-win-over-france/ |title=Germany take title with shoot-out win over France |date=2 June 2023 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> * FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/u17worldcup/indonesia-2023/articles/germany-france-match-review-watch-highlights|title=Germany win FIFA U-17 World Cup after shootout drama|publisher=FIFA.com|date=2 December 2023|access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{WorldFootball.net|david-odogu}} * {{Kicker|david-odogu}}
{{AC Milan squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Odogu, David}} Category:2006 births Category:Footballers from Berlin Category:Living people Category:21st-century German sportsmen Category:German people of Nigerian descent Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent Category:Men's association football defenders Category:German men's footballers Category:Germany men's youth international footballers Category:VfL Wolfsburg players Category:AC Milan players Category:Bundesliga players Category:German expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Category:German expatriate sportspeople in Italy