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Chioma Ubogagu

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Chioma Ubogagu
Ubogagu playing for Orlando Pride on 23 June 2018
Personal information
Full name Chioma Grace Ubogagu[1]
Date of birth (1992-09-10) 10 September 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth London, England
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Dallas Trinity
Number 14
Youth career
2007–2010 Coppell Cowgirls
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 Stanford Cardinal 89 (27)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2014 Pali Blues – (–)
2015 Arsenal 14 (6)
2016 Houston Dash 15 (1)
2017–2019 Orlando Pride 58 (12)
2018–2019 → Brisbane Roar (loan) 11 (2)
2019–2021 Real Madrid 29 (7)
2021–2023 Tottenham Hotspur 19 (0)
2024– Dallas Trinity 5 (2)
International career‡
2008–2011 United States U18
2012 United States U20
2014–2015 United States U23
2018–2019 England 3 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 September 2023

Chioma Grace Ubogagu (born 10 September 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for USL Super League club Dallas Trinity. A former United States youth international, she represented England at senior level.

She previously played for Orlando Pride, Brisbane Roar, Houston Dash, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Tottenham Hotspur. Ubogagu played collegiate soccer for Stanford University and was capped at various youth levels for the United States, winning the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. She chose to represent the England national team at the senior level in 2018, earning three caps.

Early life and career

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Ubogagu was born in London, where her parents, mother Tina a nurse and father Aloy a social worker, had moved from Nigeria seeking job opportunities.[2] At age 3, her parents divorced and she moved with her mother and older brother to Coppell, Texas a suburb in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.[3]

Ubogagu led her club team, D'Feeters, to two Texas-North State Cup titles, a U.S. Youth Soccer Association Region II championship and a 2010 third-place U-17 national finish, and led Coppell High School to the 2009 Texas 5A state title. She was also named 2010 Gatorade Texas Player of the Year, all-America three times by ESPN RISE and twice each by the NSCAA and Parade. In addition, she was all All-Area selection by Dallas Morning News, all four years of her high school career.[4]

Ubogagu came to Stanford as the #1-ranked recruit in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. During her freshman year, she won the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2011 and helped the Cardinal win their first Women's College Cup, making the all-tournament team in the process.[3] Stanford returned to the final in 2012 and to the semifinal in 2014.[5] She finished her college career with 27 goals in 89 total appearances, made the All-Pac-12 team all four seasons, earning first-team honors in 2012 and 2014.[4]

Club career

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Chioma Ubogagu playing for the Orlando Pride in 2017

Arsenal

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In January 2015, National Women's Soccer League's Sky Blue FC selected Ubogagu with the 28th pick of the 2015 NWSL College Draft,[6] although coach Jim Gabarra acknowledged she was in negotiations with an FA WSL club.[7] In February 2015, Ubogagu signed with Arsenal, the club she'd supported as a child and her British birth made it easier for her to acquire a United Kingdom work permit.[7]

Ubogagu made her professional debut on 3 April 2015, scoring a goal in a 1–1 draw against Notts County.[8]

Houston Dash

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Arsenal released Ubogagu having reached the end of her contract in November 2015. She finished her season with seven goals in 21 appearances.[9] Subsequently, the Houston Dash acquired the rights to Ubogagu from the Sky Blue FC in exchange for picks in the 2016 and 2017 college drafts. The trade gave the Dash an opportunity to sign her before the start of the NWSL season in March 2016.[10]

Ubogagu was named NWSL Player of the Week in week 4 of the 2016 season for her one-goal and one assist performance to lead Houston to a 2–1 victory over FC Kansas City.[11]

Orlando Pride

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On 23 January 2017, the Orlando Pride acquired Ubogagu from the Houston Dash, in exchange for Orlando's natural third round pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.[12] In 2017 Ubogagu appeared in 19 games for Orlando, scoring 4 goals.[13] On 16 February 2018 the Orlando Pride announced they had signed Ubogagu to a new contract ahead of the 2018 season.[14] On 29 August 2019, Ubogagu was waived by the Orlando Pride to allow her to pursue a playing opportunity in Europe.[15]

Brisbane Roar (loan)

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On 5 October 2018, Brisbane Roar announced they had signed Ubogagu for the 2018–19 W-League season, where she would be joining fellow Orlando Pride teammate Carson Pickett on loan.[16] She scored her first goal for the team on 29 November 2018, in a 1–0 victory over Newcastle Jets.[17] She ended the season with 2 goals.

CD Tacón/Real Madrid

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On 31 August 2019, Ubogagu joined Spanish Primera División team CD Tacón.[18]

Tottenham Hotspur

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On 31 July 2021, Ubogagu joined Tottenham Hotspur on a two-year contract.[19] In April 2022, Ubogagu was suspended for 9 months backdated to start from January 2022 for anti-doping violations as a result of taking medication prescribed by a personal doctor to treat acne before signing for the club.[20][21] She made her return to playing in October 2022.[22] She was confirmed to have left the club upon the expiry of her contract at the end of 2022–23 season having made 27 appearances for the club, scoring one goal.[23]

Dallas Trinity

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Having last played in March 2023, Ubogagu had returned to the United States to undergo treatment for a fibroid and an ovarian cyst.[24] She made a return to professional football in July 2024 when she signed for Dallas Trinity ahead of the inaugural USL Super League season.[25]

Ubogagu made her club debut on 18 August 2024 during Dallas's inaugural match against Tampa Bay Sun FC in a 1–1 draw. She also provided the first assist in club history in extra time of the first half. On 13 September 2024, in a home match against Lexington SC, Ubogagu scored twice in the second half, becoming the first player in club and league history to record a brace. Her performance helped Dallas secure their first-ever victory ending in 6–2.[26]

International career

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Because of her parents and her place of birth, Ubogagu was eligible to represent Nigeria, England or the United States.[3] She chose to represent the United States at the youth level, playing for their under-18, under-20 and under-23 teams. She settled on representing England at the senior level, accepting a call up from the side in October 2018 and making her England and senior international debut on 8 November 2018.

Ubogagu has represented the United States at youth levels, including U-18, U-20, and U-23 teams. With the U-20, she won the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, appearing in all six games and scoring once, and the 2012 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship, where she scored the winning goal in the final, and scored six goals in a stretch of eight games at one point in 2012.[4]

Ubogagu received her first call-up to the United States Women's National Team on 31 October 2017 for the set of two friendlies against Canada in November. Ubogagu was not capped for the full national team and she did not dress as part of the 18 for either game.[27]

Phil Neville called Ubogagu up to the England national team for a set of friendlies in November 2018 against Sweden and Austria.[28] She scored on her England and senior international debut in a 3–0 win against Austria on 8 November 2018.[29]

Ubogagu was allotted 210 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.[30]

Personal life

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Her grandfather Austin Eneuke played for Nigeria and Tottenham Hotspur.[3] Ubogagu became an Arsenal fan watching the North London derby, despite her father urging her to support Tottenham.[3]

Her name Chioma means "Good God" in the Igbo language, spoken primarily by the Igbo people in south eastern Nigeria.[2]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 6 October 2024.[31]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2015 FA WSL 1 14 6 – 5 1 19 7
Houston Dash 2016 NWSL 15 1 – – 15 1
Orlando Pride 2017 20 4 – – 20 4
2018 21 4 – – 21 4
2019 17 4 – – 17 4
Total 87 19 – 5 1 92 20
Brisbane Roar (loan) 2018–19 W-League 11 2 – – 11 2
Real Madrid 2019–20 Primera División 18 5 2 0 – 20 5
2020–21 11 2 0 0 – 11 2
Total 29 7 2 0 – 31 7
Tottenham Hotspur 2021–22 WSL 10 0 0 0 3 1 13 1
2022–23 9 0 2 0 3 0 14 0
Total 19 0 2 0 6 1 27 1
Dallas Trinity FC 2024–25 USL Super League 5 2 – – 5 2
Total 5 2 0 0 0 0 5 2
Career total 140 28 4 0 11 2 155 30
  1. ^ includes Women's FA Cup, Copa de la Reina
  2. ^ includes FA Women's League Cup

International

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As of match played 10 April 2019[32]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2018 1 1
2019 2 0
Total 3 1
Scores and results list England goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ubogagu goal.
List of international goals scored by Chioma Ubogago
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 8 November 2018 BSFZ-Arena, Maria Enzersdorf, Austria  Austria 1–0 3–0 Friendly [33]

Honours

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United States U20

England

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Japan 2012 – List of Players: USA" (PDF). FIFA. 14 September 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Just Call Her Chee". US Soccer. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e Kiefer, David (18 September 2014). "Stanford's Chioma Ubogagu chases one more shot on soccer journey".
  4. ^ a b c "Chioma Ubogagu". Stanford University. Retrieved 24 July 2015.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ Radoff, Nicholas (7 December 2014). "Women's soccer season ends in semis of College Cup". Stanford Daily. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  6. ^ "SKY BLUE FC SELECTS SIX PLAYERS IN 2015 NWSL COLLEGE DRAFT" (Press release). Sky Blue FC. 16 January 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Sky Blue draft pick Ubogagu signs for Arsenal". The Equalizer. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  8. ^ "Ubogagu spoils the party for Notts County with a debut goal". 3 April 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  9. ^ "Chioma Ubogagu to leave Ladies". Arsenal Football Club. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  10. ^ "Houston Dash acquire rights to forward Chioma Ubogagu". Houston Dash. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015. The Houston Dash have acquired the rights to forward Chioma Ubogagu (pronounced: chee-OH-ma ah-bo-GA-gu) from Sky Blue FC in exchange for the club's fourth-round pick (No. 36 overall) in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and natural third-round pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft.
  11. ^ "HOUSTON DASH'S CHIOMA UBOGAGU VOTED PLAYER OF THE WEEK". NWSL. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Orlando Pride Add Arsenal Product Chioma Ubogagu". 23 January 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Chioma Ubogagu Stats". 16 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Orlando Pride inks new deal with Chioma Ubogagu, season opener matchup set". 16 February 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Orlando Pride Waives Forward Chioma Ubogagu". www.orlandocitysc.com.
  16. ^ "American duo added to Roar's Westfield W-League squad". 5 October 2018. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  17. ^ "Ubogagu fires Roar to drought-breaking win over Jets". Westfield W-League. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  18. ^ "Chioma Ubogagu: England winger joins Real Madrid women's team CD Tacon". BBC Sport. 1 September 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  19. ^ "Chioma Ubogagu: Tottenham sign striker after Real Madrid exit". BBC Sport. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  20. ^ "Club statement – Chioma Ubogagu". Tottenham Hotspur. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  21. ^ "Tottenham's Ubogagu banned for nine months". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  22. ^ "Chioma Ubogagu 'flying' upon Tottenham return following nine-month ban". 90min.com. 22 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Spurs Women player update". Tottenham Hotspur.
  24. ^ Gier, Kathleen (15 July 2024). "Persistence and payoff: Chioma Ubogagu's return to the pitch". equalizersoccer.com.
  25. ^ Crooke, Dan (16 July 2024). "Lioness Chioma Ubogagu signs for Dallas Trinity FC". 3rd Degree.
  26. ^ "Dallas dominates at home, three clubs earn road wins | Week 5 Storylines". USL Super League. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  27. ^ "Chioma Ubogagu earns first USWNT call-up for final series of year against Canada". 31 October 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  28. ^ "@Lionesses". 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  29. ^ Austria Women 0–3 England Women. BBC Sport. Published 8 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  30. ^ "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  31. ^ "Chioma Ubogagu player profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  32. ^ "England - C. Ubogagu - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway".
  33. ^ Emons, Michael (8 November 2018). "Austria women 0–3 England women: Phil Neville's side extend unbeaten run". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  34. ^ "FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Japan 2012 Final". FIFA. Archived from the original on 15 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  35. ^ "2012 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship Final". CONCACAF. 11 March 2012. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013.
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