Udoka Chima
Footballer (born 2002)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Udoka Godwill Chima ⓘ (born 1 February 2002) is a footballer who plays as a defender. Born in Italy and raised in England, he represented Nigeria at international level.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Udoka Godwill Chima | ||
| Date of birth | 1 February 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Italy | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Lace FC | |||
| 2018–2020 | Burnley | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2020 | Burnley | 0 | (0) |
| 2019 | → Steeton AFC (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Queen of the South | 1 | (0) |
| 2022 | Cheshunt | 0 | (0) |
| 2022 | Harrow Borough | 2 | (0) |
| 2022 | Kings Langley | 5 | (1) |
| 2023 | Cavalry FC | 13 | (0) |
| 2023 | Worthing | 0 | (0) |
| 2024 | Fola Esch | 4 | (0) |
| 2024 | St Albans City | 0 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Carshalton Athletic | 4 | (0) |
| 2025 | Gute | 8 | (1) |
| 2025 | Welling United | 2 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| Nigeria U19 | |||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:49, 1 December 2025 (UTC) | |||
Early life
Chima was born in Italy to Nigerian parents and lived between the two countries until his family moved to England when he was six.[1] He played grassroots football for a couple of years with Lace FC, a club based in Tottenham, North London.[2] Afterwards, he sought to join an academy program: following trials with the academies of Barnet, Coventry City, Norwich City, and Luton Town,[1][2] in July 2018, he joined the youth system of Burnley.[3] He was eventually released by Burnley at the end of the 2019-20 season.[4][5][6]
Following his release from Burnley, he had a trial with Serie A club Napoli in September 2020, along with reported interest from Atalanta and Genoa, as well as French club Dijon.[7][8] He then had a trial with Primeira Liga club Benfica from 29 April to 9 May 2021, with fellow Portuguese clubs Braga and Porto also interested in signing him.[9] Following this, he received interest from Newcastle United,[1][10] before subsequently joined Coventry City on a trial in July 2021,[11][12] playing in a pre-season match with the U23s against Leamington.[13]
Club career
In August 2019, Chima was loaned by Burnley to Steeton, a club in the North West Counties Football League Division One South, until the end of September.[14]
In July 2021, he signed a two-year contract with Scottish Championship club Queen of the South.[15][16] He made his debut on 31 July 2021, in a substitute appearance against Partick Thistle.[1] In May 2022, he mutually terminated his contract with the club.[17]
On 2 September 2022, Chima joined National League South side Cheshunt.[18] However, just ten days later, he made a permanent switch to Southern League Premier South side Harrow Borough.[19] Soon after again, he moved to Southern League Premier Central club Kings Langley on 30 September,[20] scoring on his debut on 1 October, in a match against Bromsgrove Sporting.[21] Afterwards, he spent some time training with Onside Football Institute in England, while looking for a new club.[22]
On 13 February 2023, Chima joined Canadian Premier League club Cavalry FC on a one-year contract, with a club option for another season.[23][24] Upon completion of the 2023 season, Chima's contract would be terminated by mutual consent, ending his time with the club.[25]
On 9 December 2023, he officially returned to England by joining National League South club Worthing.[26][27] He departed at the end of December, not having featured in any matches due to a hamstring injury.[28]
In March 2024, Chima joined Luxembourg National Division club Fola Esch.[29][30]
In November 2024, Chima joined National League South side St Albans City.[31] The following month, he was playing for Isthmian League side Carshalton Athletic.[32]
In February 2025, he joined Swedish Division 2 side Gute in the fourth tier.[33]
On 4 November 2025, Chima joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Welling United,[34] however he departed the club before the end of the month.[35]
International career
Chima has played for the Nigeria U19 team.[36]