Gozie Ugwu

Chigozie Eze Ugwu (born 22 April 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Nejmeh. He made his debut in the Football League in 2012, and his debut in the Scottish Professional Football League in 2014.

Club career

Reading

Ugwu was born in Oxford, Oxfordshire. He began his career with Reading and progressed through the club's academy to sign a first professional contract in June 2011. He joined Conference National side Ebbsfleet United on a one-month loan in January 2012, and made his debut in a 1–0 FA Trophy defeat at York City. Ugwu his first goal for the club in a 3–2 win at Bath City, and two more in his next three appearances, against Southport and Gateshead, before the loan was extended by a further month. He returned to Reading at the start of April to try and earn a new contract after scoring four goals in ten league and cup appearances for Ebbsfleet.

He signed a new two-year contract with Reading in July 2012 and joined League One side Yeovil Town on loan for six months. Ugwu made his debut in a 3–0 League Cup win against Colchester United in August, and scored his first two goals for Yeovil in a 4–0 win at Scunthorpe United eleven days later. He scored one more goal, against Doncaster Rovers, and returned to Reading at the start of January 2013 after making five starts and 13 substitute appearances for Yeovil. Soon after his return, Ugwu was included in a Reading match-day squad for the first time ahead of an FA Cup tie with Crawley Town. He was named among the substitutes but did not make an appearance in a 3–1 win for Reading.

Later in January, Ugwu joined League Two club Plymouth Argyle on a one-month youth loan. In his second week with the club, he injured his ankle and was unavailable for two matches. He resumed training in February and made his debut for Argyle two days later in a 2–1 win at Aldershot Town as a second-half substitute. Despite his injury hit start, manager John Sheridan was keen to extend Ugwu's stay and on 19 February his loan was extended for a further month. Having started only two games, and with Reading keen for Ugwu to get playing time, he was recalled from loan on 11 March.

On 14 November 2013, Ugwu signed on loan for Shrewsbury Town until January and made his debut two days later in a 3–1 defeat to Port Vale. He returned to Reading having scored once in seven appearances after Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner decided against renewing his loan. On his decision not to extend Ugwu's stay, Turner commented that despite a positive start, he felt criticism from the fans had impacted on his performances.

In May 2014 he left Reading following the expiry of his contract, going on to have trials with Oxford United and Dagenham & Redbridge.

Dunfermline Athletic

On 2 August 2014, Ugwu joined Scottish League One side Dunfermline Athletic. He made his debut days later, coming on as a substitute in the 88th minute of the Scottish Challenge Cup. On 23 August 2014, Ugwu scored twice in 3–0 home victory over Airdrieonians, netting in the 24th and 80th minute. On 22 November 2014, Ugwu scored his first career hat-trick in a 4–0 home victory against Stirling Albion, netting all three goals in the space of 60 minutes.

Yeovil Town

Following his release from Dunfermline, Ugwu rejoined Yeovil Town on 15 January 2015 until the end of the season. Despite finishing the season as Yeovil's joint top goalscorer with five, Ugwu was released by Yeovil at the end of the 2014–15 season following their relegation to League Two.

Wycombe Wanderers

On 9 September 2015, Ugwu signed a permanent deal with Wycombe Wanderers to the end of the 2015–16 season. Three days later, Ugwu was given his debut by manager Gareth Ainsworth in Wycombe's 2–1 home defeat against Plymouth Argyle, playing the full 90 minutes. A week later, Ugwu went onto score his first goal for Wycombe Wanderers in their 1–1 draw with Leyton Orient, opening the scoring just before half time. On 30 January 2016, Ugwu scored the winner in Wycombe's reverse fixture against Plymouth Argyle, netting the only goal of the game in the 3rd minute.

On 9 May 2016, it was announced that Ugwu would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract on 30 June 2016, along with team-mates; Max Kretzschmar, Alex Lynch and Ryan Sellers.

Woking

On 15 July 2016, Ugwu joined National League side Woking on a one-year deal. On 6 August 2016, Ugwu made his Woking debut in a 3–1 home defeat against Lincoln City, playing the full 90 minutes.

On 27 August 2016, Ugwu scored his first Woking goal in a 4–1 defeat against York City, netting the opener in the 8th minute. Two days later, Ugwu went on to score Woking's third against Chester, in the Cards first victory of the 2016–17 campaign. On 18 October 2016, in an FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay against Torquay United, Ugwu scored a brace to send Woking through to the first round. In following round of the FA Cup, Ugwu once again scored a brace to assist Woking to a 4–2 victory over Stockport County. On 26 November 2016, Ugwu scored his first Woking hat-trick in a 3–0 home victory against Gateshead, sealing his 12th goal of the season. On 1 April 2017, Ugwu came off the bench to score the winner in Woking's 2–1 victory over Sutton United, after being dropped for new signing Jamie Lucas. On 17 April 2017, Ugwu scored his 20th goal of the campaign, in Woking's 3–2 away victory against Chester, converting a penalty in the 91st minute.

Chesterfield

On 25 May 2017, Ugwu joined League Two side Chesterfield on a two-year deal. On 5 August 2017, Ugwu made his Chesterfield debut during their 3–1 home defeat against Grimsby Town, featuring for the entire 90 minutes. Following sustaining a long-term thigh injury in late 2017, Ugwu returned to action during Chesterfield's penultimate fixture of the season, replacing Jerome Binnom-Williams with nineteen minutes to play in the 2–1 defeat.

Ebbsfleet United

Having finished the 2018–19 season on loan at Ebbsfleet United, Ugwu joined the club on a permanent basis on 24 June 2019.

Raith Rovers

Ugwu returned to Scotland on 20 August 2020, joining Scottish Championship club Raith Rovers.

Morton

Ugwu then moved to another Scottish club, Greenock Morton, in June 2021.

Saudi Arabia

In August 2022, Ugwu moved to Saudi Arabia to join second-tier Jeddah Club. On 2 October 2023, Ugwu joined Saudi Second Division side Al-Entesar. On 14 September 2024, Ugwu joined First Division side Al-Ain.

After three years in Saudi Arabia, Ugwu joined Lebanese Premier League side Nejmeh in April 2025.

Personal life

Born in England, Ugwu is of Nigerian descent.

Career statistics

Honours

Club

;Reading
* U21 Premier League Cup: 2013–14

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ugwu, Gozie
1993 births
Living people
Footballers from Oxford
English people of Nigerian descent
Sportspeople of Nigerian descent
English men's footballers
English expatriate men's footballers
Men's association football forwards
Black British sportsmen
Reading F.C. players
Ebbsfleet United F.C. players
Yeovil Town F.C. players
Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Dunfermline Athletic F.C. players
Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players
Woking F.C. players
Chesterfield F.C. players
Boreham Wood F.C. players
Raith Rovers F.C. players
Greenock Morton F.C. players
Jeddah Club players
Al-Entesar Club players
Al-Ain FC (Saudi Arabia) players
English Football League players
National League (English football) players
Scottish Professional Football League players
Saudi First Division League players
Saudi Second Division players
English expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia
Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia
21st-century English sportsmen
Nejmeh SC players
Lebanese Premier League players
Expatriate men's footballers in Lebanon
English expatriate sportspeople in Lebanon