Nedum Onuoha facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Nedum Onuoha

Onuoha training with Queens Park Rangers in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Chinedum Onuoha
Date of birth	(1986-11-12) 12 November 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth	Warri, Nigeria
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
1996–2004	Manchester City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004–2012	Manchester City	116	(3)
2010–2011	→ Sunderland (loan)	31	(1)
2012–2018	Queens Park Rangers	207	(7)
2018–2020	Real Salt Lake	44	(1)
Total		377	(12)
International career
2005	England U20	1	(0)
2005–2009	England U21	20	(2)
Medal record Men's football Representing  England UEFA European Under-21 Championship Runner-up 2009 Sweden
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Chinedum Onuoha (born 12 November 1986) is an English former professional footballer. He also works as a television pundit. Nedum is a community ambassador for Manchester City.

As a player, he was mainly a centre back. He could also play as a right back or left back. Onuoha started his career in the youth academy at Manchester City. He played 95 games in the Premier League over eight years with the club. He also played in the top league for Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers.

Nedum was part of the QPR team that lost 3-2 to his old club Manchester City. This happened on the last day of the 2011–12 season. City won the league title in the final moments of that game. He later helped QPR get promoted back to the Premier League in 2014. He then played for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer for several seasons. Onuoha also played for the England U20 and England U21 teams.

Nedum Onuoha's Early Life

Nedum Onuoha was born in Warri, Nigeria. He grew up in Manchester, England. He went to Nelson Street Primary School. Later, he attended Hulme Grammar School in Oldham. He earned excellent grades in his GCSE exams. He then studied at Xaverian College in Manchester. There, he achieved top grades in Maths, Business Studies, and IT.

Onuoha shared that his parents had strict rules. Schoolwork always came first. If he did not study well, he was not allowed to play football or do athletics.

Athletic Talents Beyond Football

Nedum was a very good junior sprinter. At 14, he finished second in the 2001 English School's Athletics Association Junior 100 metres race. He even beat former Great Britain sprinter Craig Pickering. Onuoha also holds a national record. He shares the record for boys under 15 standing triple jump. This record is from the Sports Hall events held in the UK.

Supporting Manchester City

Nedum supported Manchester City as a boy. He went to the 1999 Division Two play-off final. This was against Gillingham at Wembley Stadium.

Family and Personal Life

Nedum's mother, Dr. Anthonia Onuoha, was his agent. She sadly passed away in November 2011. After her death, Nedum paid tribute to her. He said he would keep trying his best to make her proud. He dedicated the rest of his career to her memory.

Outside of football, Onuoha studied accountancy part-time. He attended Manchester Metropolitan University. In April 2014, Nedum became a father. His wife, Lucy Onuoha, gave birth to their daughter, Amaia.

In October 2021, Onuoha returned to Manchester City. He started working for the City in the Community organization. This group helps people in the local area. In November 2021, Nedum released his autobiography. It was called Kicking Back. He wrote it with Hugh Ferris.

Nedum Onuoha's Club Career

Playing for Manchester City

Onuoha playing for Manchester City in 2007.

Nedum Onuoha joined Manchester City's youth academy in 1996 when he was ten. He played regularly for the club's reserve team. He first played with the senior team in 2004. This was during a friendly game against Bury.

Making His Debut

Onuoha made his first team debut on 27 October 2004. He was 17 years old. This was in a League Cup match against Arsenal. He then played his first Premier League game on 1 November 2004. This was as a substitute against Norwich City.

His manager, Kevin Keegan, first played him at right back. This was to help improve his passing skills. Onuoha made his first Premier League start on 20 November 2004. City won 3–1 against Portsmouth. The manager praised his performance.

Early Career Challenges

Nedum missed time with a hamstring injury in early 2005. He returned in March 2005. He continued to play at right-back. He helped the team keep three clean sheets in April 2005. For his good play, Onuoha signed a three-year contract. He was named the club's Young Player of the Year for the 2004–05 season. He played 18 games that season.

Injuries and Comebacks

Onuoha missed the start of the 2005–06 season due to another hamstring injury. He returned in August 2005. He received a red card in a League Cup match against Doncaster Rovers. However, the red card was later removed. He then suffered a groin injury. This kept him out for two months. While injured, he won the BBC North West Sports Personality of the Year Award for Newcomer. He returned in December 2005. However, he soon damaged his knee ligament. This ended his 2005–06 season early. He played 12 games that season.

Nedum continued to be injured at the start of the 2006–07 season. He returned in November 2006. He played in six games before injuring his knee again. He came back in March 2007. He then played regularly for the rest of the season. He made 19 appearances. After this, he signed a new four-year contract.

First Goals and More Injuries

In the 2007–08 season, Onuoha started well. He helped set up a goal in a 2–0 win against West Ham United. He also captained Manchester City to a 2–1 win over Bristol City. Nedum continued to play in defence for the team. He scored his first goal for City on 16 March 2008. This was in a 2–1 win against Tottenham Hotspur. On 5 April 2008, he dislocated his shoulder against Chelsea. This injury ended his season. He played 21 games and scored once.

UEFA Cup and Strong Partnerships

In the 2008–09 season, Onuoha played in the UEFA Cup for the first time. He suffered a knee injury while playing for his country. He returned in October 2008. After a big loss in the FA Cup, he started every game until the end of the season. He formed a strong partnership with Richard Dunne in defence. He scored his first goal of the season in the UEFA Cup. This was in a 2–2 draw against Copenhagen. He scored again on 19 April 2009 in a 4–2 win over West Brom. He was named Manchester City's Player of the Month twice. He played 30 games and scored two goals. In July 2009, he signed a new five-year deal.

Later Years at City

In the 2009–10 season, Onuoha struggled with injuries. He returned in November 2009 but was soon out again with a groin injury. He came back in January 2010. In April 2010, he helped set up a goal and scored one himself. Manchester City won 5–1 against Birmingham City. He played 17 games and scored two goals that season.

After a loan spell, Nedum was told he could look for a new club. He decided to fight for his place at Manchester City. However, his chances to play were limited. In January 2012, Queens Park Rangers made an offer for him. The offer was accepted. He left Manchester City after playing three games that season.

Loan to Sunderland

On 12 August 2010, Onuoha joined Sunderland on a season-long loan. The manager, Steve Bruce, was happy to have him. He said Nedum was young, strong, and could play anywhere across the back.

Nedum made his Sunderland debut on 14 August against Birmingham City. He quickly became a regular player. He impressed in many games. On 14 November 2010, he scored his first goal for Sunderland. He dribbled past three defenders to score in a 3–0 win against Chelsea. He suffered a hamstring injury in December. He returned in January 2011. However, he soon had a calf injury. He came back in April 2011. He helped Sunderland avoid being relegated. He played 32 games and scored once. Sunderland decided not to sign him permanently.

Playing for Queens Park Rangers

On 26 January 2012, Onuoha joined Queens Park Rangers (QPR). He signed a four-and-a-half-year deal. He reunited with his former manager, Mark Hughes.

Premier League Survival

Nedum made his QPR debut on 2 February 2012. It was a 2–2 draw against Aston Villa. He quickly became a regular player. He played at right-back or centre-back. QPR was in danger of being relegated. Onuoha helped them fight to stay in the Premier League. On the last day of the season, QPR played Manchester City. Nedum had played for City before. QPR lost 3–2, but they stayed in the Premier League. This was because another team, Bolton, did not win their game. Onuoha played 14 games for QPR that season.

Relegation and Comeback

At the start of the 2012–13 season, Onuoha kept his place in the team. He played at right-back or centre-back. He missed some games due to personal reasons and injuries. He returned in December 2012. He helped QPR get their first league win of the season. They beat Fulham 2–1. QPR was relegated to the Championship in April 2013. Nedum played 26 games that season. He said he would fight for his place under the new manager, Harry Redknapp.

Promotion to the Premier League

Onuoha scored his first goal for QPR on 3 August 2013. This was in the first game of the 2013–14 season against Sheffield Wednesday. He quickly became a regular centre-back. He helped the team keep four clean sheets. He suffered a hamstring injury in September 2013. He returned in November 2013. He scored again in a 5–2 win over Nottingham Forest in April 2014.

In the play-offs, QPR won against Wigan Athletic. Nedum played in both games. He was part of the QPR team that won the 2014 Championship play-off final. They beat Derby County 1–0 at Wembley Stadium. This meant QPR was promoted back to the Premier League. He played 31 games and scored two goals that season.

Back in the Premier League

At the start of the 2014–15 season, Nedum was often on the substitute bench. He made his first appearance in August 2014. He scored an own goal against West Ham United in October 2014. He then suffered another hamstring injury. He returned in November 2014. He was sent off in a game against Liverpool in May 2015. QPR lost 6–0 to Manchester City in a later game. This meant they were relegated to the Championship again. He played 25 games that season.

Becoming Club Captain

Before the 2015–16 season, Onuoha was made club captain. His first game as captain was a 2–0 loss to Charlton Athletic. He scored his first goal of the season in his 100th game for QPR. This was in a 3–0 win over Yeovil Town. In September 2015, he signed a contract extension until 2018. He scored again in a 2–2 draw against Blackburn Rovers. Nedum continued to play regularly as captain. He helped the team keep three clean sheets in late 2015. He scored again in a 1–0 win over Reading. QPR finished 12th in the league. Onuoha played 48 games and scored three goals that season.

Continued Leadership

In the 2016–17 season, Onuoha continued as captain. He scored the first goal and helped set up another in a 3–1 win over Leeds United. He scored an own goal against Preston North End. He then scored his second goal of the season in a 1–0 win over Wigan Athletic. He was sent off in a 3–0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in December 2016. After his suspension, he returned and helped set up a winning goal against Ipswich Town. He scored his third goal of the season in a 5–1 win over Rotherham United. He played 47 games and scored three goals. He also won the PFA Community Champion Award.

Final Season at QPR

In the 2017–18 season, Onuoha remained captain. He played his 200th game for QPR in September 2017. This was a 2–1 win over Ipswich Town. He then suffered a hamstring injury. He was out for three months. He returned in December 2017. He was sent off in a 4–0 loss to Hull City in April 2018. He missed 17 games that season. On 27 April 2018, it was announced that Nedum would leave QPR. He had been with the club for six and a half years. He played 36 games in his final season. His teammates voted him the Ray Jones Players' Player of the Year.

Playing for Real Salt Lake

Onuoha joined Major League Soccer team Real Salt Lake on 14 September 2018. He wanted to experience something different.

Nedum made his Real Salt Lake debut on 30 September 2018. It was a 1–1 draw against Sporting Kansas City. In his second game, he helped set up a goal in a 4–1 win over New England Revolution. He played in three MLS Cup Playoff games. Real Salt Lake lost to Sporting Kansas City. He played five games in 2018.

Establishing Himself in MLS

In the 2019 season, Onuoha became a regular starter. He played as a centre-back. He had a disagreement with an opposing player in April 2019. He suffered a thigh injury in July 2019. He was out for a month. He returned in August 2019. He scored his first goal for the club on 26 September 2019. This was in a 2–1 loss to LA Galaxy. He helped the team qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. They lost 2–0 to Seattle Sounders FC. He played 30 games and scored once in 2019.

Nedum Onuoha announced his retirement from professional football after the 2020 season. In August 2019, he started hosting a podcast called Kickback with Nedum.

Nedum Onuoha's International Career

Nedum Onuoha could play for either England or Nigeria. He received British citizenship when he was seven. Nigeria invited him to play in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. However, Onuoha turned down the offer. He did not want to lose his place at Manchester City. He later said he regretted this choice. He never played for the senior national team.

Playing for England Youth Teams

Onuoha played for the England U20 team. He then became a regular for the England U-21 side. He made his U-21 debut on 12 October 2005.

He was part of the squad for the 2007 European Under 21s Championship. He helped the team keep a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw against Czech Republic U21. During the tournament, he faced racist abuse from Serbian fans. He was praised for staying calm. He described the abuse as "horrific." He played regularly in defence. In the semi-final against the Netherlands, he got injured. England lost on penalties.

On 7 September 2007, Onuoha scored his first England U21 goal. This was in a 3–0 win over Montenegro U21. He also captained the England Under-21 team for the first time. This was in a 0–0 draw with Poland Under-21s. In 2009, he played in the European Championships. This was his last time playing for the U-21 team. He helped England U21 keep a clean sheet in a 2–0 win over Spain U21. He scored in a 3–3 draw against Sweden in the semi-finals. England won on penalties and reached the final. However, England lost 4–0 to Germany U21 in the final.

Career Statistics

Honours and Awards

England U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2009

Queens Park Rangers

• Football League Championship play-offs: 2014

See also

In Spanish: Nedum Onuoha para niños