Michael Udebuluzor

Hong Kong footballer (born 2004)
Michael Udebuluzor
米高
Udebuluzor training with Hong Kong in 2023
Personal information
Full name Michael Chibuikem Udebuluzor
Date of birth (2004-04-01) 1 April 2004 (age 20)
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

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.

Club career

FC Ingolstadt

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

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

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

International

As of matches last played 26 March 2024
National team Year Apps Goals
Hong Kong 2023 5 2
2024 5 0
Total 10 2
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 11 September 2023 Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong  Brunei 10–0 Friendly
2 12 October 2023 Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong  Bhutan 4–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round
3 17 October 2023 Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu, Bhutan  Bhutan 0–2 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round
4 16 November 2023 Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran  Iran 0–4 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
5 21 November 2023 Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong  Turkmenistan 2–2 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
6 14 January 2024 Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar  United Arab Emirates 1–3 2023 AFC Asian Cup
7 19 January 2024 Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar  Iran 0–1 2023 AFC Asian Cup
8 23 January 2024 Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha, Qatar  Palestine 0–3 2023 AFC Asian Cup
9 21 March 2024 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong  Uzbekistan 0–2 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
10 26 March 2024 Milliy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan  Uzbekistan 0–3 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round

International goals

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

  1. ^ "AFC Asian Cup 2023 team – Hong Kong China". the-afc.com. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "Bundesliga beckons Hong Kong teen Michael Udebulozor after move". South China Morning Post. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  • v
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Hong Kong squad – 2023 AFC Asian Cup
Hong Kong