From Chelsea heartbreak to JK Tammeka: Ex-Flying Eagles star Ogungbe joins new European club

Former Nigeria U20 international Ganiu Ogungbe has joined a new European club, Estonian Meistriliiga side Tartu JK Tammeka, more than a decade after he missed out on a dream move to Premier League giants Chelsea. 

One of the standout players for the Flying Eagles at the 2011 U20 Africa Cup of Nations and Fifa U20 World Cup, Ogungbe attracted concrete interest from Chelsea after the tournament in Colombia, but a proposed move hit the rocks.

According to Ogungbe, he was offered a four-year contract by the Blues but the Premier League side pulled out of the deal because his agent demanded an outrageous sum. 

Chelsea went on to sign Ogungbe's defensive partner at the World Cup, Kenneth Omeruo, who was the club's longest serving player on a first team contract before sealing a permanent transfer to CD Leganes in 2019.

A product of Kwara United in his homeland, Ogungbe played for Cypriot clubs Omonia Nikosia, Ethnikos and En. Paralimni, followed by spells at Busaiteen Club, Baf Ülkü Yurdu, NK Krsko, Viljandi JK Tulevik, Pietà Hotspurs F.C and Sheikh Russel KC. 

The 32-year-old is predominantly a centre-back but can also be deployed as a defensive midfielder if the need arises. 

Tartu JK Tammeka finished fifth in the Estonian top-flight in the 2024 season and play their home games at the Tartu Tamme Stadium.

Apart from Cyprus, Ogungbe previously wore the colours of teams based in Bahrain, Northern Cyprus, Slovenia, Estonia, Malta and Bangladesh. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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