- Udo Nwoko
Infobox Football biography
playername = Udo Nwoko
fullname = Udochukwu Nwoko
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|10|15|df=yes
cityofbirth = Abia
countryofbirth =Nigeria
height = 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
position =Midfielder
currentclub = Leixões
clubnumber = 18
youthyears =
youthclubs = Hibernians
years = 2002–2003
2004–2005
2005–2006
2006–2007
2006–2007
2007-present
clubs = Hibernians
Xewkija Tigers
Mosta
Hibernians
Marsaxlokk (loan)
Leixões S.C.
caps(goals) = 16 (0)
17 (15)
20 (6)
13 (1)
11 (0)
13 (2)
nationalyears = 2007–
nationalteam = Malta
nationalcaps(goals) = 08 0(0)
pcupdate = 16:14, 16 January 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 19:45, 17 September 2008 (UTC)Udochukwu Nwoko (born
15 October 1984 in Abia,Nigeria ) is a professionalfootballer , currently playing forPortuguese Liga side Leixões, where he plays as a midfielder. A small but agile attacking midfielder, he can also play just behind the strikers. He is not an out and out goal scorer, but prefers holding up play and providing the final pass to attackers.Football career
Club career
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 15 goals in just 17 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 20 appearances and scored six 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 13 appearances with the club and scored one goal.
He then moved on loan to fellow Maltese Premier League side Marsaxlokk for the remainder of 2007. He made 11 appearances, but failed to score any 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.
In 2007, he moved to Portuguese club Leixões.He has since been linked with a move to Championship side Reading.
International career
Nwoko was called up by Malta for the first time ahead of a
UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying matches against Hungary inBudapest on13 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. [cite news | date=2007-10-10 | url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/news/kind=1/newsid=601181.html | title=Nwoko earns Malta call-up | work=uefa.com | accessdate=2008-01-16]Personal life
Nwoko obtained Maltese citizenship in August 2007. He is married to Claudia and together they have two children, Natalia and Jerome.
References
External links
* [http://www.maltafootball.com/players/udonwoko.html Udo Nwoko profile] at MaltaFootall.com
* [http://www.leixoessc.pt/index.php?pageId=73&jogadorId=18 Udo Nwoko profile] at leixoessc.ptPersondata
NAME=Nwoko, Udochukwu
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Nwoko, Udo
SHORT DESCRIPTION=
DATE OF BIRTH=1984-10-15
PLACE OF BIRTH=Abia,Nigeria
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=
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