Kalu Uche (born 15 November 1982) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a forward.
He spent most of his career in Spain, mainly with AlmerÃÂa, with which he amassed La Liga totals of 117 matches and 27 goals (212 appearances and 45 goals all competitions comprised). He also competed professionally in Poland, France, Switzerland, Turkey, Qatar and India.
A Nigeria international in the 2000s, Uche represented his country at the 2010 World Cup and the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
Born in Aba, Abia, Uche's career began in Nigeria with Osusu pillars F.C, Aba, and later Enyimba International F.C. and Iwuanyanwu Nationale. In the 2000âÂÂ01 season he joined RCD Espanyol B in Spain, failing to receive any first-team opportunities and competing with the reserves in the third division.
In 2001, Uche transferred to Wisà Âa Kraków, playing there until 2005 â winning the Ekstraklasa three times and Polish Cup twice â except for the 2004âÂÂ05 campaign when he represented Bordeaux on loan.
In mid-2003, Uche was in talks to join Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam, but the deal fell through as Wisà Âa were unwilling to sell the player at that time. Uche subsequently went on a strike and requested for his contract to be terminated unilaterally, resulting in a six-month ban by the club. FIFA rejected Uche's appeal in December 2003, and he returned to training with Wisà Âa shortly after.
For the 2005âÂÂ06 season, Uche moved to UD AlmerÃÂa, and was instrumental in helping the Andalusia club to its first ever La Liga promotion in his second year, scoring eight league goals (with three in the last five matches). He made his debut in the competition on 26 August 2007, coming from the bench in a 3âÂÂ0 away win against Deportivo de La Coruña.
On 11 January 2009, profiting from the absence of first-choice ÃÂlvaro Negredo, Uche netted both goals in a 2âÂÂ2 draw at Espanyol. On 5 December, he scored his team's second goal at Real Madrid for the 2âÂÂ1, but the hosts eventually rallied back to 4âÂÂ2.
In the following summer, Negredo was sold to Sevilla FC â via Real Madrid â and Uche became AlmerÃÂa's most important attacking reference. He finished the 2009âÂÂ10 season with a career-best in Spain nine goals, including a brace on 4 May 2010 against Villarreal CF in a 4âÂÂ2 home win, which all but certified permanence in the top level for another year.
Uche was only available to manager Juan Manuel Lillo one month into 2010âÂÂ11, due to fitness problems. In the second match upon his return, on 26 September 2010, he scored twice in a 2âÂÂ0 victory at Deportivo for AlmerÃÂa's first win of the campaign, going on to net seven in 32 games as the club was finally relegated after a four-year stay.
On 4 August 2011, Uche joined Swiss Super League side Neuchâtel Xamax on a two-year deal. He left the following transfer window, however, and returned to Espanyol, immerse in a deep injury crisis to its attacking line, signing until June 2013.
Uche opened his scoring account for his new club on 25 February 2012 in a 1âÂÂ2 home loss against Levante UD. On 11 March, he put three past Rayo Vallecano in another home fixture (5âÂÂ1).
On 20 July 2012, Uche moved to Turkish club Kasñmpaà Âa SK, signing a three-year contract. On 1 October of the following year he switched teams and countries again, penning a deal with El Jaish SC in Qatar.
Uche signed an 18-month contract with Levante UD on 29 January 2015, after a short stint at Al Rayyan SC. On 7 January 2016, he returned to AlmerÃÂa, after spending six months at FC Pune City. He began his third spell at the former club in February 2017, joining until 30 June as a free agent.
Uche made his debut for Nigeria on 21 June 2003, in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Angola, scoring in the process. He represented the nation at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, going scoreless for the eventual third-placed team.
After a solid club season, Uche was picked for that year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa. On 17 June, against Greece, he opened the score from a free kick, but the Super Eagles soon were reduced to ten men and lost 1âÂÂ2. In the third and last game he also scored the opener, eventually earning Nigeria's only point in the competition in a 2âÂÂ2 draw with South Korea.
Uche's younger brother, Ikechukwu Uche, was also a footballer. Also a forward, he too spent most of his senior career in Spain (they are not related to two other players, Uche Okechukwu and Ikechukwu Kalu). He is married to Stephanie Oforka, former MBGN Universe, they have two children.
Wisà Âa Kraków
Nigeria