Chiedozie Ogbene

**Chiedozie Ogbene** (born 1 May 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for Rotherham United, as a winger. Born in Nigeria, he represents the Republic of Ireland national team.

He began his career in Ireland with Cork City and Limerick, before transferring to Brentford in 2018.

## Early and personal life

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Ogbene moved with his family (including two brothers and two sisters) to Ireland in 2005, growing up in the Grange area of Cork. He attended Bunscoil Chríost Rí. He is a supporter of Liverpool.

## Club career

Ogbene played Gaelic football for Nemo Rangers and association football for Munster Senior League clubs Tramore Athletic, College Corinthians, Kilreen Celtic and Everton. He scored 1–2 and was awarded man of the match in an under-21 final for Nemo Rangers in 2015, his last appearance for the club.

He signed for Cork City in August 2015. He won the Enda McGuill Cup with their under-19 youth team, and the 2016 FAI Cup with their senior team.

He signed for fellow League of Ireland club Limerick in January 2017. He was nominated three times for the League of Ireland Player of the Month award.

In November 2017 he was linked with a transfer to English club Aston Villa.

On 30 January 2018, Ogbene signed for English club Brentford on a three-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his league debut on 10 April 2018, making one further appearance that season. He moved on loan to Exeter City in August 2018.

On 29 August 2019, Ogbene joined League One club Rotherham United for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract. In 2019–20, he played a central role in Rotherham's promotion-winning season, being described by manager Paul Warne as "unplayable" after he helped Rotherham beat Bristol Rovers by 3–0. He was injured between October 2020 and April 2021.

## International career

He was eligible to represent both Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at international level. In July 2020, Ogbene approached Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny to declare his wish to play for the national team. On 24 May 2021, Ogbene received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the summer friendlies against Andorra and Hungary. He said he hoped to be a role model for other Irish players from a similar background. He made his debut on 8 June 2021 against Hungary, becoming the first African-born player to represent the Republic of Ireland. The Irish players had been booed by Hungarian fans prior to kick-off for taking the knee in a symbolic gesture against racism in the sport, which Ogbene asked UEFA to investigate.

## Career statistics

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## Honours

**Cork City**

* FAI Cup: 2016

**Rotherham United**

* League 1 runner up: 2019–20

## References

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1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Template:Soccerway
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 'I had to pick between soccer and Gaelic football but this is the dream' - Chiedozie Ogbene. The 42 (27 December 2016). Retrieved on April 11, 2018.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 TEN THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT CHIEDOZIE OGBENE. Brentford F.C. (30 January 2018). Retrieved on April 11, 2018.
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6. ↑ Ryan Kelly (19 January 2017). Chiedozie Ogbene leaves Cork City for Limerick. Goal.com. Retrieved on April 11, 2018.
7. ↑ Colm Kinsella (2 November 2017). Limerick FC winger Chiedozie Ogbene nominated for Player of Month award. Limerick Leader. Retrieved on April 11, 2018.
8. ↑ John Fallon and Liam Mackey (30 November 2017). Aston Villa targeting talented Chiedozie Ogbene. Irish Examiner. Retrieved on April 11, 2018.
9. ↑ Chiedozie Ogbene: Brentford sign forward from Irish side Limerick. BBC Sport (30 January 2018). Retrieved on April 11, 2018.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Template:Soccerbase season
11. ↑ Chiedozie Ogbene: Exeter City sign Brentford winger on loan until January. BBC Sport (21 August 2018). Retrieved on August 31, 2018.
12. ↑ SIGNING Millers land winger from Brentford. Rotherham United F.C. (29 August 2019). Retrieved on August 29, 2019.
13. ↑ Chiedozie Ogbene: Rotherham United sign Brentford winger. BBC Sport (29 August 2019). Retrieved on August 30, 2019.
14. ↑ Slattery, Joel (28 April 2021). Chiedozie Ogbene determined to make his mark on Championship after injury nightmare.
15. ↑ Chiedozie Ogbene - Rotherham United winger eager to be unleashed for Republic of Ireland.
16. ↑ Meet Chiedozie Ogbene, the explosive winger who's been called into the Ireland squad (24 May 2021).
17. ↑ Fallon, John (30 May 2021). Chiedozie Ogbene: 'I am Nigerian by birth but grew up in Cork, so see myself as an Irishman'.
18. ↑ Chiedozie Ogbene is blazing a trail with Republic.
19. ↑ Goalkeepers save Republic in Hungary.
20. ↑ Ogbene calls for Uefa action over booing.
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Template:Soccerbase season
22. ↑ Template:Soccerbase season
23. ↑ Template:Soccerbase season
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