Ikechukwu Uche

Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Uche goal.

Early years

Born in Aba, Abia, Uche's career began in his country with Amanze United and Iwuanyanwu Nationale. Aged just 18,with immense financial aid from his brother,he moved to Racing de Ferrol in the Spanish second division after trialing with different Spanish lower division clubs, appearing in 24 games in his second season, which ended in relegation for the Galician team. Uche then joined another club in the country's second level, Recreativo de Huelva, for a fee of US$300,000, and scored 12 goals in his first year, becoming the league's top scorer in the 2005–06 campaign at 20 in just 28 appearances (with five braces), as the Andalusians returned – as champions – to La Liga after a three-year absence. In his first top flight season, Uche scored on eight occasions. Notably, he netted in three consecutive matches in November 2006 (with wins at RC Celta de Vigo and against CA Osasuna), helping Recre finish eight. Uche joined Madrid's Getafe CF for 2007–08, mainly being used as a substitute. On 29 November 2008, also from the bench, he scored in a 3–1 home victory over Real Madrid.

Zaragoza

Real Zaragoza, recently returned to the top flight, agreed terms to sign Uche in July 2009, subject to medical. He was presented officially on the 22nd, and signed a four-year contract; in only his second match, a 1–4 loss at Sevilla FC, he suffered a severe knee injury, going on to miss seven months. Uche recovered fully for Zaragoza's 2010–11 pre-season. However, he…

Uche made his debut for Nigeria in 2007. He was part of the squad that competed in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, helping the Super Eagles to the quarter-finals. Uche was called up to the 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, contributing with four scoreless appearances to the eventual champions.

Uche's older brother, Kalu Uche, was also a footballer. Also a forward, he too spent most of his senior career in Spain (they are not related to two other players, Uche Okechukwu and Ikechukwu Kalu); his name, Ikechukwu, meant "God's Power" in Igbo. Uche made a cameo appearance in the music video for Touchin Body, by J. Martins and DJ Arafat.