French footballer (born 2004)
Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu (; born 26 March 2004) is a French professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Southampton, on loan from Chelsea.[3]
Career
Rennes
Ugochukwu made his professional debut for Rennes on 25 April 2021, replacing Steven Nzonzi in a 5–1 Ligue 1 win against Dijon.[4]
Chelsea
On 1 August 2023, Ugochukwu signed for Chelsea on a seven-year contract, with a club option for an additional year.[5] The transfer fee paid to Rennes was reported as up to £23.1 million.[6] On 13 August, he made his debut for the club, coming on as a substitute, in a 1–1 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League.[7]
Southampton (loan)
On 16 August 2024, Ugochukwu joined English side Southampton on a season-long loan.[8] He made his debut for the club on 28 August 2024 in a 3–5 away victory against Cardiff City in the EFL Cup.[9]
Personal life
Born in France, Ugochukwu is of Igbo Nigerian descent and holds dual nationality.[10][11] Ugochukwu is the nephew of former Rennes and Nigeria centre-back Onyekachi Apam.[12]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 21 September 2024
References
- ^ a b "Lesley Ugochukwu". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ "Lesley Ugochukwu". Chelsea FC. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Lesley Ugochukwu at Soccerway. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ "Résultat et résumé Rennes – Dijon, Ligue 1 Uber Eats, 34e journée, Dimanche 25 Avril 2021". L'Équipe (in French). Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Ugochukwu becomes a Blue". www.chelseafc.com. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ "Chelsea transfer news: Blues agree £23.1m deal to sign Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes". Sky Sports. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ Boswell, Zinny (13 August 2023). "Chelsea 1–1 Liverpool: Mauricio Pochettino's side fight back to draw his first Premier League game in charge". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "Lesley Ugochukwu completes loan move to Saints". Southampton FC. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ Mitchelmore, Ian (28 August 2024). "Cardiff City 3–5 Southampton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
- ^ "Rohr Identifies 16 Year Old Rennes Midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu As Alternative To Ndidi". 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Lesley UGOCHUKWU". unfp.org. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ Christenson, Marcus (7 October 2021). "Next Generation 2021: 60 of the best young talents in world football". the Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Games played by Lesley Ugochukwu in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Lesley Ugochukwu in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lesley Ugochukwu.
- Profile at the Chelsea F.C. website
- Lesley Ugochukwu at the French Football Federation (in French)
- Lesley Ugochukwu – UEFA competition record (archive)