Nedum Onuoha

Chinedum "Nedum" Onuoha (born 12 November 1986 in Warri, Nigeria) is an England Association football of Nigerian descent. Nedum Onuoha currently plays for Manchester City F.C. and the England national under-21 football team, though appearances have been limited due to injuries. Nedum Onuoha is a defender, typically a Defender_(association_football) Centre_back, but Nedum Onuoha can also play at right-back or left-back.

Biography

Born in Nigeria, Onuoha was raised in Manchester, England. Nedum Onuoha went to Nelson Street Primary School Miles Platting followed by Hulme Grammar Private School in Oldham. Nedum Onuoha achieved an impressive two 'A- ' and seven 'A' grades at GCSE. Nedum Onuoha then completed Nedum Onuoha studies at Xaverian College Manchester where Nedum Onuoha achieved three 'A' grades at A-level. An outstanding junior sprinter; aged 14 Nedum Onuoha finished in second place in the final of the 2001 English School's Athletics Association Junior 100 metres contest, clocking 11.09 seconds and beating current Great-Britain sprinter Craig Pickering.

Nedum Onuoha is also currently the co-national record holder for boys under 15 standing triple jump, in the Sports Hall events held annually throughout the UK, the record is held with international long jumper Jonathan Moore.

Nedum Onuoha is also known to have supported Manchester City as a boy seeing as Nedum Onuoha was raised in Manchester and attended the Manchester City youth academy.

Club career

Manchester City

Onuoha played regularly for Manchester City's reserves in the 2003–04 season, and had Nedum Onuoha first involvement with the Manchester City first team in the 2004–05 pre-season, playing in a friendly against Bury F.C.. Nedum Onuoha made Nedum Onuoha first team debut against Arsenal F.C. in the Carling Cup on 27 October 2004, at the age of 17. Nedum Onuoha made Nedum Onuoha Premier League debut as a substitute on 1 November 2004 at home to Norwich City F.C.. Though Onuoha's natural position is centre-half, manager Kevin Keegan initially played Nedum Onuoha at right back with the intention of improving Nedum Onuoha passing ability.

Onuoha made 18 appearances in Nedum Onuoha debut season, but suffered a series of injuries during the 2005-06 in English football season, meaning Nedum Onuoha played only 12 games.

Due to several injuries throughout the 2006-07 in English football season, Onuoha was brought into the team for several long periods of time. Nedum Onuoha soon established himself and was rewarded with a new four-year contract.

Nedum Onuoha captained the Manchester City side to a 2–1 victory over Bristol City F.C. in the Carling Cup 2nd round. Nedum Onuoha scored Nedum Onuoha first goal for City at home against Tottenham Hotspur F.C. on 16 March 2008 in a 2–1 win. On 5 April 2008 Onuoha dislocated Nedum Onuoha shoulder in a game against Chelsea F.C. and was ruled out for the remainder of the 2007-08 in English football season following surgery.

The first half of the 2008-09 season was an injury plagued time for Onuoha, missing most matches, however after City's 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the F.A. Cup, Nedum Onuoha started every single game until the end of the season, forming an effective partnership with Richard Dunne in the centre of defence.

On the 29th of July 2009 Nedum agreed a new 5-year deal with Manchester City.

International career

Onuoha is a regular in the England national under-21 football team, making Nedum Onuoha debut on 12 October 2005. Nedum Onuoha was part of the squad participating in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in the Netherlands. During the Championships Onuoha was subjected to racist abuse from Serbian fans, but received praise for maintaining Nedum Onuoha conduct amid provocation. Nedum Onuoha played in each of England's four fixtures, but limped off in extra-time in the semi-final against the Netherlands national football team after all three of the permitted substitutions had been made. England went out 13-12 on penalties in the semi-final. Nedum Onuoha will be eligible for the team until the summer of 2009. Nedum Onuoha captained the England Under-21 team for the first time in a 0–0 draw with Poland national under-21 football team Under-21s.

In March 2007, Onuoha received an international callup from Nigeria national football team, but has announced Nedum Onuoha would like to represent England National Football Team at full international level.