Brian Idowu is a former professional footballer known for playing as a left-back.
He was born in Russia but represents the Nigeria national football team.
Idowu speaks perfect Russian and has acted as a translator for the Nigerian national team.
Biography
Early Life
Brian Oladapo Idowu was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Nigerian father and a half-Russian, half-Nigerian mother. He spent his early childhood in Russia, with a brief period living in Owerri, Nigeria, from ages three to six. This multicultural background has shaped his identity, and he is fluent in Russian, even serving as a translator for the Nigerian national team during press conferences.
Career
Idowu's professional football career began when he made his debut in the Russian Premier League for FC Amkar Perm on May 6, 2012, against FC Terek Grozny. He had a loan spell with FC Dynamo Saint Petersburg during the 2013-2014 season before signing a three-year contract with Amkar in June 2014, which he extended in February 2017 until 2020. In July 2018, he joined FC Lokomotiv Moscow on a three-year deal. Later, he moved to FC Khimki, initially on loan in August 2020, before making the transfer permanent in June 2021. He played for Khimki until July 2023.
International Career
Idowu's international career took off when he was called up to the Nigerian national team in November 2017 for a friendly match against Argentina. He made his debut in that match, coming on as a substitute and scoring Nigeria's third goal in a 4-2 victory. His performance earned him a spot in Nigeria's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia, showcasing his dual heritage on an international stage.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Club
As of 28 May 2022
International
As of 20 November 2019
International goals
Born in Saint Petersburg to a Nigerian father and a Russian-Nigerian mother, Idowu moved to Owerri, Nigeria at early age, and later moved back to Russia. He made his Russian Premier League debut for FC Amkar Perm on 6 May 2012 in a game against FC Terek Grozny. After a loan spell with Dynamo St Petersburg during the 2013–14 season, Idowu signed a new 3-year deal with Amkar on 30 June 2014, extending his contract again in February 2017 until the summer of 2020.
Lokomotiv Moscow
On 10 July 2018, he signed a 3-year contract with FC Lokomotiv Moscow.
Khimki
On 7 August 2020, he joined Khimki on loan for the 2020–21 season. On 7 June 2021, he moved to Khimki on a permanent basis, signing a 2-year contract with an additional 1-year extension option. He left Khimki in July 2023.
In November 2017, Idowu was called up to the Nigerian national team for their friendly against Argentina in Krasnodar on 14 November 2017. Idowu made his debut against Argentina on 14 November, coming on as a half-time substitute for Ola Aina, and scoring Nigeria's third goal in a 4-2 win. In May 2018 he was named in Nigeria's preliminary 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
- Club
- FC Amkar Perm (2010–)
- Club
- FC Dynamo Saint Petersburg (2013–2014)
- Club
- Nigeria men's national football team
- Club
- FC Khimki
- National team
- Nigeria
- National team
- Russia
Personal
Idowu's father is Nigerian and his mother is half-Russian, half-Nigerian. He was born and raised in St. Petersburg, except for a period when he was aged 3 to 6 when he lived in Owerri, Nigeria. Idowu speaks perfect Russian and acted as a makeshift translator of the Nigerian national team at news conference ahead of a fixture in Krasnodar in November 2017.
Clubs
- FC Amkar Perm2010current
- FC Khimkicurrent
- Nigeria men's national football teamcurrent
- FC Dynamo Saint Petersburg2013–2014
Played together with
- Abdelillah BaguiFC Khimki · 2004–2004
- Adil IbragimovFC Khimki · 2009–2010
- Albert SarkisyanFC Amkar Perm · 2005–2006
Aleksandr AntipenkoFC Khimki · 2003–2009- Aleksandr AveryanovFC Khimki · 2001–2003
Aleksandr BudakovFC Khimki · 2012–2013
Aleksandr CherevkoFC Dynamo Saint Petersburg · 2007–2007
Aleksandr DanishevskyFC Khimki · 2004–2005- Aleksandr DanishevskyFC Khimki · 2011–2011
Aleksandr DantsevFC Khimki · 2008–2008
Aleksandr DolgovFC Khimki
Aleksandr IlyinFC Dynamo Saint Petersburg · 2015–2015
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Brian Oladapo Idowu is a former professional footballer who played as a left-back. Born in Russia, he played for the Nigeria national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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