Michael Chibuikem Udebuluzor (Chinese: 米高; born 1 April 2004) is a Hong Kong professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Oberliga Baden-Württemberg club VfR Mannheim and the Hong Kong national team.
| 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 | VfR Mannheim | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016–2018 | Kitchee | ||
| 2018–2020 | DFI Bad Aibling | ||
| 2020–2022 | Ingolstadt 04 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022–2024 | Ingolstadt 04 II | 23 | (14) |
| 2022–2024 | Ingolstadt 04 | 3 | (0) |
| 2024– | VfR Mannheim | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023– | Hong Kong | 13 | (2) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 June 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 October 2024 | |||
Club career
editFC Ingolstadt 04
editIn July 2022, Udebuluzor debuted for Ingolstadt 04 II.[2][3][4][5][6][7] On 6 August 2023, Udebuluzor made his first team debut for Ingolstadt 04 in 3. Liga against FC Erzgebirge Aue.
Mannheim
editOn 17 August 2024, Udebuluzor signed for Oberliga Baden-Württemberg club VfR Mannheim.[8]
International career
editOn 8 September 2023, it was announced that Udebuluzor had received his HKSAR passport after renouncing 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 goal 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.[9]
Personal life
editUdebuluzor 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.[10]
Career statistics
editInternational
edit- As of 10 October 2024
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 2023 | 5 | 2 |
| 2024 | 8 | 0 | |
| Total | 13 | 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 14 January 2024.
- ^ Meier, Julian (24 August 2023). "Michael Udebuluzor hat einen steinigen Weg hinter sich – nun startet er beim FCI durch". Donaukurier.de (in German). Archived from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "Bundesliga beckons for Hong Kong teen Michael Udebuluzor after move to Germany". South China Morning Post. 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "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)). 5 June 2023. Archived from the original on 10 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "Ingolstadt-Talent Udebuluzor: Für den Profi-Traum allein von Hongkong nach Deutschland". Transfer Markt (in German). 22 May 2022. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ Kin-wa, Chan (10 June 2023). "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 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ "安達臣天才歸港計畫 旅歐球員米高6月加入？". Bastille Post (in Chinese). 21 March 2023. Archived from the original on 10 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "VfR Mannheim verpflichtet Michael Udebuluzor – VfR Mannheim 1896 e.V." (in German). Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ "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.