Michael Chibuikem Udebuluzor (Chinese: 米高; born 1 April 2004) is a Hong Kong professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for 3. Liga club FC Ingolstadt 04 and the Hong Kong national team.
.jpg) Udebuluzor training with Hong Kong in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Chibuikem Udebuluzor | ||
| Date of birth | 1 April 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Hong Kong | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | FC Ingolstadt 04 | ||
| Number | 49 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016–2018 | Kitchee | ||
| 2018–2020 | DFI Bad Aibling | ||
| 2020–2022 | FC Ingolstadt 04 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022– | FC Ingolstadt 04 II | 14 | (8) |
| 2022– | FC Ingolstadt 04 | 3 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023– | Hong Kong | 10 | (2) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 March 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 March 2024 | |||
Club career edit
FC Ingolstadt edit
In July 2022, Udebuluzor debuted for FC Ingolstadt 04 II.[2][3][4][5][6][7] On 6 August 2023, Udebuluzor made his first team debut for FC Ingolstadt 04 in 3. Liga against FC Erzgebirge Aue.
International career edit
On 8 September 2023, it was announced that Udebuluzor had received his HKSAR passport after renounced his Nigerian citizenship, making him eligible to represent Hong Kong internationally.
On 11 September 2023, Udebuluzor made his international debut for Hong Kong in a friendly match against Brunei. On 12 October 2023, he scored his first international goals, in a game against Bhutan, scoring a brace in the match.
On 26 December 2023, Udebuluzor was named in Hong Kong's squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.[8]
Personal life edit
Udebuluzor is the son of former Nigerian professional footballer Cornelius Udebuluzor. He was born while his father was playing for Rangers in the Hong Kong First Division League.[9]
Career statistics edit
International edit
- As of matches last played 26 March 2024
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 2023 | 5 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 10 | 2 | |
International goals edit
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 12 October 2023 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong |  Bhutan
|
1–0 | 4–0 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 2–0 |
References edit
- ^ "AFC Asian Cup 2023 team – Hong Kong China". the-afc.com. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ Meier, Julian (2023-08-24). "Michael Udebuluzor hat einen steinigen Weg hinter sich – nun startet er beim FCI durch". Donaukurier.de (in German). Archived from the original on 2023-08-26. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ "Bundesliga beckons for Hong Kong teen Michael Udebuluzor after move to Germany". South China Morning Post. 2022-05-12. Archived from the original on 2023-09-09. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
- ^ "香港隊 準入籍兵米高：想寫下自己嘅香港故事". on.cc (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2023-06-05. Archived from the original on 2023-09-10. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ "Ingolstadt-Talent Udebuluzor: Für den Profi-Traum allein von Hongkong nach Deutschland". Transfer Markt (in German). 2022-05-22. Archived from the original on 2023-09-09. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
- ^ Kin-wa, Chan (2023-06-10). "Footballer waiting 6 months for Hong Kong passport scores hat-trick – then leaves town, with international dream denied". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 2023-09-09. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
- ^ "安達臣天才歸港計畫 旅歐球員米高6月加入？". Bastille Post (in Chinese). 2023-03-21. Archived from the original on 2023-09-10. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ "中國香港代表隊 – 決選名單" [Hong Kong, China Team – Finalists]. Hong Kong Football Association (in Chinese). 26 December 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Bundesliga beckons Hong Kong teen Michael Udebulozor after move". South China Morning Post. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.