Lesley Ugochukwu
French footballer (born 2004)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chimuanya Lesley Ugochukwu (// ⓘ; born 26 March 2004) is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Süper Lig club Galatasaray, on loan from EFL Championship club Burnley.
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Ugochukwu in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Chimuanya Lesley Ugochukwu[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 26 March 2004[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Rennes, France | ||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[3] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Galatasaray | ||
| Number | 18 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2010–2011 | ASPTT Rennes | ||
| 2011–2012 | Cercle Paul Bert | ||
| 2012–2021 | Rennes | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020 | Rennes II | 5 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Rennes | 47 | (1) |
| 2023–2025 | Chelsea | 12 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | → Southampton (loan) | 26 | (1) |
| 2025– | Burnley | 35 | (3) |
| 2026– | → Galatasaray (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021–2022 | France U18 | 9 | (1) |
| 2022–2023 | France U19 | 9 | (2) |
| 2024 | France U20 | 1 | (0) |
| 2023– | France U21 | 12 | (0) |
| 2024 | France Olympic | 2 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 10:38, 28 May 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10:03, 31 March 2026 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Rennes
Ugochukwu made his professional debut for Rennes on 25 April 2021, replacing Steven Nzonzi in a 5–1 Ligue 1 win against Dijon.[4]
Chelsea
On 1 August 2023, Ugochukwu signed for Chelsea on a seven-year contract, with a club option for an additional year.[5] The transfer fee paid to Rennes was reported as up to £23.1 million.[6] On 13 August, he made his debut for the club, coming on as a substitute, in a 1–1 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League.[7]
Southampton (loan)
On 16 August 2024, Ugochukwu joined English side Southampton on a season-long loan.[8] He made his debut for the club on 28 August 2024 in a 5–3 away victory against Cardiff City in the EFL Cup.[9] On 19 April 2025, he scored his first goal for the club in stoppage time in a 1–1 draw with West Ham United, which was Ugochukwu's first Premier League goal.[10]
Burnley
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On 6 August 2025, Ugochukwu signed a five-year contract with fellow English side Burnley.[11] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa on 5 October 2025.[12]
Galatasaray (loan)
On July 15, 2026, he signed a loan contract with Galatasaray until the end of the 2026–27 season.[13][14]
International career
In June 2024, he took part in the Maurice Revello Tournament with France.[15]
Personal life
Born in France, Ugochukwu is of Igbo Nigerian descent and holds dual nationality.[16][17] Ugochukwu is the nephew of former Rennes and Nigerian centre-back Onyekachi Apam.[18]
Career statistics
- As of match played 24 May 2026
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rennes | 2020–21 | Ligue 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2021–22 | Ligue 1 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 4[c] | 0 | 22 | 1 | ||
| 2022–23 | Ligue 1 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 7[d] | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
| Total | 47 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | 60 | 1 | |||
| Chelsea | 2023–24[19] | Premier League | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 15 | 0 | |
| Southampton (loan) | 2024–25[20] | Premier League | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 31 | 1 | |
| Burnley | 2025–26[21] | Premier League | 35 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 38 | 3 | |
| Career total | 120 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 144 | 5 | ||
- Includes Coupe de France, FA Cup
- Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
