Mumbai City FC signs Bartholomew Ogbeche
The Nigerian striker joins the Islanders on a year-long deal.
Published : Oct 21, 2020 14:48 IST
Mumbai City FC on Wednesday signed Nigerian striker Bartholomew Ogbeche for the upcoming 2020-21 season. The Nigerian striker joins the club on a year-long deal.
Ogbeche began his youth career at Lobi Stars in Nigeria and was then signed by Paris Saint-Germain into its youth system before making his first team debut for the French giant in 2001-02 at just 17.
An illustrious journey began for Ogbeche, playing in France (Bastia, Metz), the UAE (Al Jazira), Spain (Alaves, Valladolid, Cadiz, Xerez), Greece (Kavala), England (Middlesbrough) and the Netherlands (Cambuur, Willem II).
The 36-year-old made his debut in Indian football in the 2018-19 season, captaining NorthEast United FC. He scored 12 goals in 18 games.
Continuing with the ISL, he went on to represent Kerala Blasters in the 2019-20 season and finished with 15 goals in 16 games, the joint top goal-scorer in the division.
'Free-flowing brand of football'
Ogbeche has also represented Nigeria on several occasions, including twice in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
“Besides the brilliant mix of youth and experience in our team, the apparent quality and level of the squad speaks volumes about the ambitions we have here at the club,” Ogbeche said.
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“In my two years in the ISL, I’ve come up a fair few times against Sergio Lobera’s team, and our coach’s positive and free-flowing brand of football perfectly fits my style and idea of the game as well,” the striker added.
Mumbai City head coach Sergio Lobera described the Nigerian as a top-class player. “He is not only a terrific goal-scorer but also a leader in the true sense. Bart (Ogbeche) can be a role-model to plenty of the young boys in our squad and not to mention, be a winner for us on the pitch with his attacking talents,” Lobera said.