John Utaka

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John Utaka
Personal information
Full name John Chukwudi Utaka
Date of birth 8 January 1982 (1982-01-08) (age 26)
Place of birth    Enugu, Nigeria
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)
Playing position Winger, Striker
Club information
Current club Portsmouth
Number 17
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1997-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2005
2005-2007
2007-		 Enugu Rangers
Ismaily SC
Al-Sadd Sports Club
RC Lens
Stade Rennais
Portsmouth		 045 (11)
021 (17)
027 (14)
102 (24)
063 (22)
029 0(5)   
National team2
2002- Nigeria 030 0(5)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 19:06, 11 May 2008 (UTC).
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 15 July 2006.
* Appearances (Goals)

John Utaka (born 8 January 1982 in Enugu, Nigeria) is a Nigerian football player. His Igbo name, Chukwudi, means "There is God".[1] He has played for several clubs across three continents, first for Arab Contractors and subsequently Ismaily of Egypt, then spending a season playing for Al-Sadd of Qatar, before joining Racing Lens and later Rennes in France. He now plays for Portsmouth in England, mainly as a pacy winger who is utilised for the team's counter attaking.

Utaka struggled to make an impact at the start of his Rennes stint. However, he took advantage of the absence of fellow striker Alexander Frei through injury to make his breakthrough. In February 2006, he scored two consecutive hat-tricks, against Lens and Lyon, and as a result received L'Equipe's player of the month award.

He plays for Nigeria and was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He started four of Nigeria's six games in the 2006 African Cup of Nations, in which Nigeria finished in third place.

In Egypt, while with Ismaily, Utaka earned cult status with the local fans. They used to chant "Oh Oh Oh Utaka, Oh Oh Oh Utaka" during the matches. He played alongside the likes of Mohammed Barakat, Islam El-Shater, and captain Mohamed Salah Abo Greisha under the guidance of Mohsen Saleh, later appointed coach of Egypt.

Utaka joined Portsmouth on a four-year deal in July 2007, for a fee of around £7,000,000[2] scoring his first goal on August 11, 2007 in a game against newly promoted Derby County. Some sources claim he became the club's record signing.[3]

On 17 May 2008 Portsmouth won the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Cardiff City. John Utaka provided the cross for the winning goal which was scored by Nwankwo Kanu

[edit] References

  1. ^ Meaning of Chukwudi in Nigerian.name
  2. ^ "Portsmouth bring in striker Utaka", BBC Sport, 2007-07-11. Retrieved on 2007-07-11. 
  3. ^ Portsmouth splash out again to seal Utaka deal - Premier League, Football - Independent.co.uk

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Nigeria squad - 2002 FIFA World Cup
1 Shorunmu • 2 Yobo • 3 Babayaro • 4 Kanu • 5 Okoronkwo • 6 West • 7 Ikedia • 8 Adepoju • 9 Ogbeche • 10 Okocha • 11 Lawal • 12 Ejide • 13 Afolabi • 14 Udeze • 15 Justice • 16 Sodje • 17 Aghahowa • 18 Akwuegbu • 19 Ejiofor • 20 Obiorah • 21 Utaka • 22 Enyeama • 23 Opabunmi • Coach: Onigbinde
 Flag of Nigeria
v • d • e
Portsmouth F.C. – current squad

1 James • 2 Primus • 3 Aubey • 4 Lauren • 5 Johnson • 6 Diarra • 7 Hreiðarsson • 8 Bouba Diop • 9 Baroš • 10 Nugent • 11 Muntari • 13 Begovic • 14 Defoe • 15 Distin • 16 Pamarot • 17 Utaka • 18 Mvuemba • 19 Kranjčar • 20 Cranie • 21 Ashdown • 22 Hughes • 23 Campbell • 24 Duffy • 27 Kanu • 28 Davis • 30 Pedro Mendes • 34 Songo'o • 35 Wilson • Manager: Redknapp