{{short description|Nigerian footballer (born 1984)}} {{EngvarB|date=July 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ikechukwu Uche | image = Ikechukwu Uche.jpg | upright = 0.9 | caption = Uche as a Getafe player | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|1|5|df=y}} | birth_place = Aba, Nigeria | height = 1.71 m | position = Striker | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Amanze United | youthyears2 = 2000–2001 | youthclubs2 = Iwuanyanwo Nationale | years1 = 2002–2003 | clubs1 = Racing Ferrol | caps1 = 28 | goals1 = 2 | years2 = 2003–2007 | clubs2 = Recreativo | caps2 = 133 | goals2 = 50 | years3 = 2007–2009 | clubs3 = Getafe | caps3 = 55 | goals3 = 11 | years4 = 2009–2011 | clubs4 = Zaragoza | caps4 = 18 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2011–2015 | clubs5 = Villarreal | caps5 = 85 | goals5 = 33 | years6 = 2011–2012 | clubs6 = → Granada (loan) | caps6 = 34 | goals6 = 3 | years7 = 2015–2016 | clubs7 = UANL | caps7 = 1 | goals7 = 1 | years8 = 2016 | clubs8 = → Málaga (loan) | caps8 = 3 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2016–2019 | clubs9 = Gimnàstic | caps9 = 75 | goals9 = 21 | totalcaps = 432 | totalgoals = 122 | nationalyears1 = 2007–2014 | nationalteam1 = Nigeria | nationalcaps1 = 46 | nationalgoals1 = 19 | club-update = 9 June 2019 | nationalteam-update = | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}} {{MedalCountry|{{fb|NGA}}}} {{MedalCompetition|Africa Cup of Nations}} {{Medal|W|2013 South Africa|}} }}
'''Ikechukwu Uche'''{{Audio|LL-Q33578_(ibo)-Goodymeraj-Ikechukwu_Uche.wav|Listen|help=no}} {{post-nominals|country=NGA|MON}} (born 5 January 1984) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a striker.
Known for his acrobatic goal celebrations,<ref name=Brother>{{cite news|url=http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/2a_division/recreativo/es/desarrollo/563025.html|title=La liga de los hermanos Uche|trans-title=The league of Uche brothers|newspaper=Marca|first1=J. C.|last1=Galván|first2=J.|last2=Folqué|language=es|date=29 September 2005|access-date=18 November 2012|url-status=live|archive-date=7 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607005226/http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/2a_division/recreativo/es/desarrollo/563025.html}}</ref> he spent most of his professional career in Spain, having arrived in the country before the age of 20. He amassed La Liga totals of 194 matches and 42 goals over nine seasons, representing in the competition Recreativo, Getafe, Zaragoza, Villarreal, Granada and Málaga.
Uche appeared for Nigeria in two Africa Cup of Nations.
==Club career==
===Early years=== Born in Aba, Abia, Uche's career began in his country with Amanze United and Iwuanyanwu Nationale. Aged just 18, he moved to Racing de Ferrol in the Spanish second division, appearing in 24 games in his second season, which ended in relegation for the Galician team.
Uche then joined another club in the country's second level, Recreativo de Huelva, for a fee of US$300,000, and scored 12 goals in his first year, becoming the league's top scorer in the 2005–06 campaign at 20 in just 28 appearances (with five braces), as the Andalusians returned – as champions – to La Liga after a three-year absence.
In his first top flight season, Uche scored on eight occasions. Notably, he netted in three consecutive matches in November 2006 (with wins at RC Celta de Vigo and against CA Osasuna),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elcorreogallego.es/deportes/futbol/futbol-1-/ecg-h/idEdicion-2006-11-13/idMenu-deportes%3Efutbol%3Efutbol_1_/idEdicion-2006_11_13/idNoticia-103729/titulo-El%20Celta%20se%20estrella%20en%20casa%20(1%202)%20contra%20un%20Huelva%20que%20movi%C3%B3%20mejor%20el%20bal%C3%B3n|title=El Celta se estrella en casa (1–2) contra un Huelva que movió mejor el balón|trans-title=Celta crash at home (1–2) against a Huelva who moved ball better|newspaper=El Correo Gallego|language=es|date=13 November 2006|access-date=6 June 2018}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/recreativo-osasuna-liga-173920/0/|title=El Recreativo suma y sigue ante un pobre Osasuna|trans-title=And counting for Recreativo against poor Osasuna|newspaper=20 minutos|language=es|date=19 November 2006|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/liga-racing-recre-176595/0/|title=El Racing se impone en El Sardinero con un Zigic 'inmenso'|trans-title=Racing impose at El Sardinero with 'huge' Zigic|newspaper=20 minutos|language=es|date=26 November 2006|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref> helping ''Recre'' finish eight.
Uche joined Madrid's Getafe CF for 2007–08, mainly being used as a substitute. On 29 November 2008, also from the bench, he scored in a 3–1 home victory over Real Madrid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/252901?cc=5739|title=Miserable return for Schuster|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=29 November 2008|access-date=31 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102065309/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/252901?cc=5739}}</ref>
===Zaragoza=== Real Zaragoza, recently returned to the top flight, agreed terms to sign Uche in July 2009, subject to medical.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realzaragoza.com/noticias/3715|title=Principio de acuerdo por Uche|trans-title=Early agreement on Uche|publisher=Real Zaragoza|language=es|date=18 July 2009|access-date=18 July 2009|archive-date=20 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720231559/http://www.realzaragoza.com/noticias/3715}}</ref> He was presented officially on the 22nd, and signed a four-year contract;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realzaragoza.com/noticias/3758|title=Uche se presenta ante dos mil aficionados|trans-title=Uche presented before 2,000 fans|publisher=Real Zaragoza|language=es|date=22 July 2009|access-date=27 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725115741/http://www.realzaragoza.com/noticias/3758}}</ref> in only his second match, a 1–4 loss at Sevilla FC, he suffered a severe knee injury, going on to miss seven months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtnfootball.com/news/2009/oct/091007-nigeria-admit-uche-blow.html|title=Nigeria admit Uche blow|publisher=MTN Football|date=7 October 2009|access-date=7 April 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806221538/http://www.mtnfootball.com/news/2009/oct/091007-nigeria-admit-uche-blow.html|archive-date=6 August 2012}}</ref>
Uche recovered fully for Zaragoza's 2010–11 pre-season. However, he soon suffered another knee injury, being ruled out for another six months;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2010/07/30/futbol/equipos/zaragoza/1280445862.html|title=Uche se perderá media temporada|trans-title=Uche will miss half of the season|newspaper=Marca|first=Pepe|last=Borque|language=es|date=30 July 2010|access-date=30 July 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731205737/http://www.marca.com/2010/07/30/futbol/equipos/zaragoza/1280445862.html|archive-date=31 July 2010}}</ref> his return to action took place on 19 February 2011 as he played 20 minutes in a 0–1 home defeat against Atlético Madrid, hitting David de Gea's bar in the dying minutes of the game after an individual effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/301876?cc=5739|title=Aguero earns vital win for Atletico|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=19 February 2011|access-date=21 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628230717/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/301876?cc=5739|archive-date=28 June 2011}}</ref>
On 2 March 2011, Uche made his first start of the season, at home against Athletic Bilbao. On the 55th minute, he scored the final 2–1 for the Aragonese – his first goal since May 2009 – and cried profusely as he celebrated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eitb.com/en/sports/detail/610146/athletic-club-lose-21-real-zaragoza-extend-losing-streak-four/|title=Athletic Club lose 2–1 at Real Zaragoza, extend losing streak to four|publisher=EITB|date=2 March 2011|access-date=4 March 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402202756/http://www.eitb.com/en/sports/detail/610146/athletic-club-lose-21-real-zaragoza-extend-losing-streak-four/|archive-date=2 April 2012}}</ref>
===Villarreal=== [[File:UEFA Euro League FC Salzburg gegen Villarreal 10.JPG|thumb|right|Uche (second from left) lining up for Villarreal in 2015]] In the last day of the 2011 summer transfer window, Uche signed with Villarreal CF, being immediately loaned out to Granada CF. On 17 September, he scored the game's only goal against the team that held his rights, in a home fixture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=325238&cc=5739|title=Uche sees off Villarreal|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=17 September 2011|access-date=19 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102094012/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=325238&cc=5739}}</ref>
Subsequently, returned to the ''Yellow Submarine'', Uche led his team in scoring as it returned to the top division in 2013. Highlights included braces in home wins over CD Mirandés (2–0),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/es/news/1880/f%C3%BAtbol-espa%C3%B1ol/2012/10/27/3482946/villarreal-2-0-mirand%C3%A9s-ikechukwu-uche-da-alas-al-submarino|title=Villarreal 2–0 Mirandés: Ikechukwu Uche da alas al Submarino|trans-title=Villarreal 2–0 Mirandés: Ikechukwu Uche gives wings to the Submarine|publisher=Goal|language=es|date=27 October 2012|access-date=7 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308113255/http://www.goal.com/es/news/1880/f%C3%BAtbol-espa%C3%B1ol/2012/10/27/3482946/villarreal-2-0-mirand%C3%A9s-ikechukwu-uche-da-alas-al-submarino|archive-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> Sporting de Gijón (2–1),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2013/03/10/castellon/1362931077.html|title=El Villarreal tumba al Sporting con un gol de Uche en el tiempo de descuento (2–1)|trans-title=Villarreal down Sporting with Uche goal in injury time (2–1)|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=10 March 2013|access-date=7 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107090334/http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2013/03/10/castellon/1362931077.html|archive-date=7 January 2014}}</ref> Girona FC (4–1)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20130518/futbol/liga-segunda-division/cronica-4-1-girona-villarreal_54373647080.html|title=4–1. El Villarreal golea al Girona y pone la directa hacia la liga BBVA|trans-title=4–1. Villarreal rout Girona and accelerate towards BBVA league|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=19 May 2013|access-date=7 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-date=7 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107070900/http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20130518/futbol/liga-segunda-division/cronica-4-1-girona-villarreal_54373647080.html}}</ref> and at Racing de Santander (3–0).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2012/11/17/futbol/2adivision/1353171252.html|title=El Submarino hunde al Racing|trans-title=Submarine sinks Racing|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=17 November 2012|access-date=7 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107130530/http://www.marca.com/2012/11/17/futbol/2adivision/1353171252.html|archive-date=7 January 2014}}</ref> On 6 January 2014, back in the top tier, he scored his first hat-trick as a professional to help to a 5–2 away rout of Rayo Vallecano.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/373046/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Five-star Villarreal sink Rayo|publisher=ESPN FC|date=6 January 2014|access-date=7 January 2014|archive-date=7 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107141103/http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/373046/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739}}</ref>
===Later years=== On 20 June 2015, Uche signed with Mexican side Tigres UANL for €3.5 million on a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediahubng.com/2015/06/ikechukwu-uche-leaves-villarreal-signs-with-tigres/|title=Ikechukwu Uche leaves Villarreal – Signs with Tigres|publisher=Media Hub NG|date=20 June 2015|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620134701/http://mediahubng.com/2015/06/ikechukwu-uche-leaves-villarreal-signs-with-tigres/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was brought on as a substitute in the September 24, 2015 Concacaf Champions League match against Isidro Metapán, where he scored his only goal for the club to win the match and subsequently re-injuring himself. On 2 February of the following year he returned to Spain, being loaned to Málaga CF.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35471856|title=Ikechukwu Uche: Nigerian striker joins Malaga on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 February 2016|access-date=25 February 2016}}</ref>
On 10 August 2016, Uche agreed to a one-year deal with Gimnàstic de Tarragona in the Spanish second division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gimnasticdetarragona.cat/ike-uche-nou-fitxatge-grana/|title=Ike Uche, nou fitxatge grana|trans-title=Ike Uche, new ''grana'' signing|publisher=Gimnàstic Tarragona|language=ca|date=10 August 2016|access-date=11 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816014424/http://www.gimnasticdetarragona.cat/ike-uche-nou-fitxatge-grana/|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Roughly one year later, he extended his contract until 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gimnasticdetarragona.cat/uche-sera-grana-fins-al-2019/|title=Uche serà grana fins al 2019|trans-title=Uche will be ''grana'' until 2019|publisher=Gimnàstic Tarragona|language=ca|date=15 August 2017|access-date=15 August 2017}}</ref>
==International career== Uche made his debut for Nigeria in 2007. He was part of the squad that competed in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, helping the ''Super Eagles'' to the quarter-finals.
Uche was called up to the 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20970786 |title=Nations Cup 2013: Nigeria pick six locally-based players|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Oluwashina|last=Okeleji|date=10 January 2013|access-date=10 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-date=17 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017082725/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20970786 }}</ref> contributing with four scoreless appearances to the eventual champions.<ref name=BBC>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21396138|title=Sunday Mba scored a magnificent winner as Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time.|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Ian|last=Hughes|date=10 February 2013|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
==Personal life== Uche's older brother, Kalu Uche, was also a footballer. Also a forward, he too spent most of his senior career in Spain (they are not related to two other players, Uche Okechukwu and Ikechukwu Kalu);<ref name=Brother/> his name, Ikechukwu, meant "''God's Power''" in Igbo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nigerian.name/w/index.php?title=Ikechukwu|title=Ikechukwu|publisher=Nigerian Name|access-date=21 January 2008}}</ref>
Uche made a cameo appearance in the music video for ''Touchin Body'', by J. Martins and DJ Arafat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uGLhRyCZ8c#t=91 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/6uGLhRyCZ8c |archive-date=19 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=J. Martins featuring Dj Arafat – Touchin Body (Official Video)|publisher=YouTube|date=12 August 2013|access-date=15 September 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
==Career statistics== :''Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Uche goal.''
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Ikechukwu Uche<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/ik-uche-intlg.html|title=Ikechukwu Uche – Goals in International Matches|first=Roberto|last=Mamrud|website=RSSSF|access-date=15 August 2017}}</ref> |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- | align="center"|1 || 8 September 2007 || Warri Township, Warri, Nigeria || {{fb|LES}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |- | align="center"|2 || 9 January 2008 || MPFS Marbella, Estepona, Spain || {{fb|SUD}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly |- | align="center"|3 || 1 June 2008 || Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria || {{fb|RSA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2010 World Cup qualification |- | align="center"|4 || 21 June 2008 || Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria || {{fb|EQG}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2010 World Cup qualification |- | align="center"|5 || 6 September 2008 || Telkom Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa || {{fb|RSA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || 2010 World Cup qualification |- | align="center"|6 || 7 June 2009 || Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria || {{fb|KEN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || 2010 World Cup qualification |- | align="center"|7 || rowspan="2"|27 March 2011 || rowspan="2"|Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria || rowspan="2"|{{fb|ETH}} || align="center"|3–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|4–0 || rowspan="2"|2012 African Cup of Nations qualification |- | align="center"|8 || align="center"|4–0 |- | align="center"|9 || 29 March 2011 || Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria || {{fb|KEN}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–0 || Friendly |- | align="center"|10 || rowspan="2"|1 June 2011 || rowspan="2"|Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria || rowspan="2"|{{fb|ARG}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|4–1 || rowspan="2"|Friendly |- | align="center"|11 || align="center"|3–0 |- | align="center"|12 || 5 June 2011 || Addis Ababa Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia || {{fb|ETH}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–2 || 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification |- | align="center"|13 || 8 October 2011 || Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria || {{fb|GUI}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–2 || 2012 African Cup of Nations qualification |- | align="center"|14 || 15 November 2011 || Ahmadu Bello, Kaduna, Nigeria || {{fb|ZAM}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly |- | align="center"|15 || 3 June 2012 || U. J. Esuene, Calabar, Nigeria || {{fb|NAM}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || 2014 World Cup qualification |- | align="center"|16 || 16 June 2012 || U. J. Esuene, Calabar, Nigeria || {{fb|RWA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |- | align="center"|17 || 8 September 2012 || Samuel Kanyon Doe, Monrovia, Liberia || {{fb|LBR}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–2 || 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |- | align="center"|18 || 13 October 2012 || U. J. Esuene, Calabar, Nigeria || {{fb|LBR}} || align="center"|5–0 || align="center"|6–1 || 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |- | align="center"|19 || 15 November 2014 || Stade Municipal (Pointe-Noire), Congo || {{fb|CGO}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |}
==Honours== '''Recreativo''' *Segunda División: 2005–06<ref>{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2006/06/19/mas_futbol/1150698468_850215.html|title=El Recreativo se proclamó campeón en el Rico Pérez|trans-title=Recreativo crowned champions at the Rico Pérez|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=19 June 2006|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
'''Nigeria''' *Africa Cup of Nations: 2013<ref name=BBC/>
'''Individual''' *Pichichi Trophy (Segunda División): 2005–06<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/especiales/2005/08/liga/segundadivision/goleadores.html|title=Goleadores de 2005–2006|trans-title=2005–2006 top scorers|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=2006|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref>
'''Orders''' * 60x60px Member of the Order of the Niger<ref>{{cite news |last=Okeleji |first=Oluwashina |author-link=Oluwashina Okeleji |date=13 February 2013 |title=Presidential reward for Super Eagles |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21450619 |department=Sport |work=BBC |location=Lagos |access-date=19 March 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{BDFutbol|1087}} *{{NFT player|11229}} *{{FIFA player|290747}} *{{soccerway|ikechukwu-i-uche/3429}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20140706093110/http://www.ikeuche.com/ Official website]
{{Nigeria Squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}} {{Nigeria squad 2013 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Uche, Ikechukwu}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Aba, Nigeria Category:Nigerian men's footballers Category:Igbo sportspeople Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Heartland F.C. players Category:La Liga players Category:Segunda División players Category:Racing de Ferrol footballers Category:Recreativo de Huelva players Category:Getafe CF footballers Category:Real Zaragoza players Category:Villarreal CF players Category:Granada CF footballers Category:Málaga CF players Category:Gimnàstic de Tarragona footballers Category:Tigres UANL footballers Category:Nigeria men's international footballers Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:2013 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:Africa Cup of Nations–winning players Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Mexico Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Spain Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Mexico Category:Members of the Order of the Niger Category:21st-century Nigerian sportsmen