Official: Chelsea product of Nigerian descent lands new club 

Through their official website, Championship club Cardiff City have announced the signing of Ike Ugbo.

The cap-tied Canada international of Nigerian descent has joined a new club in the United Kingdom, two years after he departed Stamford Bridge for Racing Genk in Belgium. 

Ugbo has joined the Bluebirds on loan from ES Troyes AC for the entirety of the 2023-24 season.

It did not come as a surprise that Ugbo was left out of Canada's 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup roster, having struggled for form and game time at Troyes last term.

The Cobham product started nine out of a possible 38 games in the French Ligue 1, scoring two goals while registering an assist. 

In his first words as a Cardiff City player, Ugbo stated: "I’m very happy to be here. I’ve been waiting to come back to the English leagues for a while now and I’m really pleased that it’s finally over the line.

“I spoke to the manager before coming here. He was telling me how I suit the Club, what I can do to help the Club and what the Club can do to help me. I think our ambitions align together, so I think it was a perfect choice for me.

"For the team, I think we should push for the highest and try and get promoted. I think we shouldn’t short-change ourselves. There is great variety in the team, so I think we can do really good stuff this year.

"I can’t wait to finally put on the shirt and score my first goal for the Club."

The onetime Super Eagles hopeful was a member of Canada's squad to the 2022 World Cup, but was an unused substitute in all the matches played by the Reds.

Ugbo enjoyed loan spells at Barnsley, Milton Keynes Dons, Scunthorpe United, Roda and Cercle Brugge during his time at Chelsea, where he spent thirteen years.

The 24-year-old logged sixteen appearances in the Championship during the 2017-2018 season, scoring one goal.

Igho Kingsley