{{Short description|Nigerian-Cameroonian footballer (born 1993)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = John Mary | image = | fullname = John Mary Uzuegbunam Honi<ref>{{TFF|2502729}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|03|09|df=y}} | birth_place = Nnobi, Anambra, Nigeria<ref name="soccerway">{{Soccerway|396717}}</ref> | height = 1.81 m<ref name="soccerway"/> | position = Forward | currentclub = Vojvodina | clubnumber = 28 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = AS Fortuna | years1 = 2012 | clubs1 = Buriram United | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 2012–2013 | clubs2 = BCC | caps2 = | goals2 = | years3 = 2013–2014 | clubs3 = Krabi | caps3 = | goals3 = | years4 = 2014 | clubs4 = Prachuap | caps4 = | goals4 = | years5 = 2015–2016 | clubs5 = Vojvodina | caps5 = 1 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2016–2018 | clubs6 = Rudar Velenje | caps6 = 46 | goals6 = 26 | years7 = 2018–2019 | clubs7 = Meizhou Hakka | caps7 = 43 | goals7 = 36 | years8 = 2019–2022 | clubs8 = Shenzhen FC | caps8 = 32 | goals8 = 20 | years9 = 2021 | clubs9 = → Avispa Fukuoka (loan) | caps9 = 16 | goals9 = 5 | years10 = 2022 | clubs10 = Al-Shabab | caps10 = 6 | goals10 = 1 | years11 = 2022–2023 | clubs11 = Avispa Fukuoka | caps11 = 9 | goals11 = 0 | years12 = 2023–2024 | clubs12 = Çaykur Rizespor | caps12 = 16 | goals12 = 7 | years13 = 2024 | clubs13 = Manisa | caps13 = 12 | goals13 = 2 | years14 = 2024 | clubs14 = Meizhou Hakka | caps14 = 13 | goals14 = 6 | years15 = 2025 | clubs15 = Novi Pazar | caps15 = 12 | goals15 = 5 | years16 = 2025– | clubs16 = Vojvodina | caps16 = 20 | goals16 = 6 | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = Cameroon U20 | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | nationalyears2 = 2021 | nationalteam2 = Cameroon | nationalcaps2 = 1 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | club-update = 21 March 2026 | nationalteam-update = }}
'''John Mary Uzuegbunam Honi''' (born 9 March 1993), commonly known as '''John Mary''', is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serbian Superliga club Vojvodina. Born in Nigeria, he played for the Cameroon national team internationally.
==Club career== Born in the Anambra State in Nigeria, Mary moved to Cameroon to join AS Fortuna de Mfou Yaoundé's youth team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kick442.com/the-big-interview-john-mary-honi-uzuegbunam-i-didnt-play-for-usd-more%F0%9F%91%87%F0%9F%91%87/|title=The Big Interview: John Mary Honi Uzuegbunam-"I didn't play for USD|website=kick442.com|date=7 December 2019|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214050129/https://www.kick442.com/the-big-interview-john-mary-honi-uzuegbunam-i-didnt-play-for-usd-more%f0%9f%91%87%f0%9f%91%87/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 28 March 2012, he was signed by Buriram United in what will be the beginning of three seasons spent in Thai football. His time with Buriram only lasted for a few months before he moved to fourth tier side Bangkok Christian College on 1 August 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smmonline.net/news/59510-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8B%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%A7.html|title=เสี่ยต้นบุกถึงเตียงเซ็นเจ.เอ็มร่วมทัพคริสเตียนแล้ว|website=smmonline.net|date=1 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028081807/http://www.smmonline.net/news/59510-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%B6%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8B%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%AD%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%AA%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%A7.html|access-date=31 January 2021|url-status=usurped|archive-date=28 October 2014}}</ref> A move to second tier club Krabi for the 2013 Thai Division 1 League would follow before ending his time in Thailand with fourth tier club Prachuap.
His advisor Ognjen Karisik would bring him to Europe, where he had a trial with Serbian club Vojvodina who signed him on 24 January 2015 on a two-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fkvojvodina.rs/2015/01/potpisao-dzon-meri/|title=Potpisao Džon Meri|trans-title=John Mary has signed|access-date=1 August 2016|language=sr|publisher=FK Vojvodina|date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623214919/http://www.fkvojvodina.rs/2015/01/potpisao-dzon-meri/|archive-date=23 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made his debut in a Serbian Cup game against Kolubara on 28 October 2015 that ended in a goalless draw, before Vojvodina won 5–4 on penalties.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/10/28/serbia/cup/fk-kolubara-lazarevac/fk-vojvodina-novi-sad/2163873/|title=Kolubara vs. Vojvodina 0–0|website=soccerway.com|date=28 October 2015|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=30 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330095944/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/10/28/serbia/cup/fk-kolubara-lazarevac/fk-vojvodina-novi-sad/2163873/|url-status=live}}</ref> He would see very little playing time with the club after suffering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. His contract with Vojvodina was eventually terminated, and on 18 July 2016 he signed a one-year deal with Slovenian side Rudar Velenje.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fkvojvodina.rs/2016/07/dzon-meri-presao-u-rudar-iz-velenja/|title=Džon Meri prešao u Rudar iz Velenja|trans-title=John Mary transferred to Rudar Velenje|access-date=1 August 2016|language=sr|publisher=FK Vojvodina|date=18 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830235356/http://www.fkvojvodina.rs/2016/07/dzon-meri-presao-u-rudar-iz-velenja/|archive-date=30 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In January 2018, Mary moved to the China League One side Meizhou Hakka.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nogomania.com/Mednarodni-Nogomet/Igralec/John-Mary/Novica/John-Mary-zdaj-pa-res-prestopil-na-Kitajsko.aspx|title=John Mary zdaj pa res prestopil na Kitajsko|access-date=15 January 2018|language=sl|publisher=Nogomania|date=15 January 2018|author=Uredništvo|archive-date=15 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115174205/https://nogomania.com/Mednarodni-Nogomet/Igralec/John-Mary/Novica/John-Mary-zdaj-pa-res-prestopil-na-Kitajsko.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his debut and scored his first goal for the club in a league game against Shijiazhuang Ever Bright on 10 March 2018 that ended in a 2–1 defeat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/match-report/ma8672571/lineup/|title=China » League One 2018 » 1. Round » Shijiazhuang Ever Bright - Meizhou Hakka 2:1|website=worldfootball.net|date=10 March 2018|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=17 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017065603/https://www.worldfootball.net/report/league-one-2018-shijiazhuang-ever-bright-meizhou-hakka/|url-status=live}}</ref> After winning the golden boot award at the end of the 2018 China League One campaign, Chinese top tier club Shenzhen signed him on 2 July 2019 halfway through the 2019 Chinese Super League season.<ref>{{cite web|title=深圳官宣宣布约翰马里加盟 中甲大杀器将战中超|url=https://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2019-07-02/doc-ihytcitk9243480.shtml|website=sports.sina.com.cn|date=2 July 2019|access-date=2 July 2019|archive-date=6 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706152955/https://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2019-07-02/doc-ihytcitk9243480.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 30 January 2022, Mary joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab.<ref>{{cite web |title=الشباب يعلن التعاقد مع الكاميروني "جون ماري" |date=30 January 2022 |url=https://akhbaar24.argaam.com/article/detail/586210 |access-date=30 January 2022 |archive-date=30 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130154820/https://akhbaar24.argaam.com/article/detail/586210 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==International career== Despite being born in Nigeria, Mary was naturalized and played for Cameroon under-20s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cameroon's John Mary alleges racial abuse during Chinese match |url=https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cameroons-john-mary-alleges-racial-abuse-during-chinese-match-20200905-CMS-309664.html |website=World Soccer Talk |access-date=9 April 2023 |language=en |date=5 September 2020}}</ref>
In 2021, he was called to the Cameroon senior team.<ref name="soccerway"/> He made his debut on 6 September 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against the Ivory Coast, a 2–1 away loss. He substituted Moumi Ngamaleu in the 62nd minute.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=FIFA|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400198000|title=Ivory Coast v Cameroon game report|date=6 September 2021|access-date=9 September 2021|archive-date=28 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828031414/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400198000|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{Updated|match played 21 March 2026}}<ref>{{cite web |title=John Mary » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe384196/john-mary/club-matches/ |website=worldfootball.net |date=5 September 2020 |access-date=30 July 2021 |language=en |archive-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730150603/https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/john-mary/2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| 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"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|Vojvodina |2014–15 |Serbian SuperLiga |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||0||0 |- |2015–16 |Serbian SuperLiga |1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||2||0 |- !colspan="2"| Total !1!!0!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!0!!0!!2!!0 |- |rowspan="3"|Rudar Velenje |2016–17 |Slovenian PrvaLiga |30||17||4||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||34||18 |- |2017–18 |Slovenian PrvaLiga |16||9||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||9 |- !colspan="2"|Total !46!!26!!5!!1!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!51!!27 |- |rowspan="3"|Meizhou Hakka |2018 |China League One |28||24||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||28||24 |- |2019 |China League One |15||12||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||15||12 |- !colspan="2"|Total !43!!36!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!43!!36 |- |rowspan="3"|Shenzhen FC |2019 |Chinese Super League |15||9||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||15||9 |- |2020 |Chinese Super League |17||11||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||11 |- !colspan="2"|Total !32!!20!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!32!!20 |- |Avispa Fukuoka (loan) |2021 |J1 League |16||5||1||0||2||2||colspan="2"|—||19||7 |- |Al Shabab |2021–22 |Saudi Pro League |6||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||2||1||9||2 |- |Avispa Fukuoka |2022 |J1 League |9||0||1||0||4||1||colspan="2"|—||14||1 |- |rowspan="3"|Çaykur Rizespor |2022–23 |TFF 1. Lig |14||6||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||6 |- |2023–24 |Süper Lig |2||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !16!!7!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!16!!7 |- |Manisa |2023–24 |TFF 1. Lig |12||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||2 |- |Meizhou Hakka |2024 |Chinese Super League |13||6||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||6 |- |Novi Pazar |2024–25 |Serbian SuperLiga |12||5||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||5 |- |Vojvodina |2025–26 |Serbian SuperLiga |20||6||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||22||6 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !226||113||11||1||6||3||2||1||245||119 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Individual''' *Slovenian PrvaLiga top scorer: 2016–17 *China League One top scorer: 2018
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerway|396717}} *{{J.League player}}
{{FK Vojvodina squad}} {{Slovenian PrvaLiga top scorers}} {{China League One top scorers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mary, John}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Anambra State Category:Cameroonian men's footballers Category:Cameroon men's under-20 international footballers Category:Cameroon men's international footballers Category:Nigerian men's footballers Category:Nigerian emigrants to Cameroon Category:Cameroonian expatriate men's footballers Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers Category:Men's association football forwards John Mary John Mary Category:FK Vojvodina players Category:NK Rudar Velenje players Category:Meizhou Hakka F.C. players Category:Shenzhen F.C. players Category:Avispa Fukuoka players Category:Al Shabab Club players Category:Çaykur Rizespor footballers Category:Manisa F.K. footballers Category:FK Novi Pazar players Category:Serbian SuperLiga players Category:Slovenian PrvaLiga players Category:China League One players Category:Chinese Super League players Category:J1 League players Category:Saudi Pro League players Category:TFF 1. Lig players Category:Süper Lig players Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Thailand Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Thailand Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Thailand Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Serbia Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Serbia Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Slovenia Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Slovenia Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in China Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Japan Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Japan Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey Category:21st-century Nigerian sportsmen