Ugo Ehiogu
Encyclopedia
Ugochuku "Ugo" Ehiogu is an English
former footballer who played as a centre back
, most recently for Sheffield United. Ehiogu is a former England international
who has also had lengthy spells at both Aston Villa
and Middlesbrough
in his career.
as a trainee, turning professional in 1989. After just a few games for Albion in the Second Division
, Ron Atkinson
brought him to First Division
Aston Villa
for £40,000 in August 1991. By 1994, he had replaced Shaun Teale
as the main central defensive partner to Paul McGrath
.
He remained at the club for nine years, making over 300 appearances in all competitions. He was part of the Villa team that won the 1996 League Cup as Villa beat Leeds 3–0. Ehiogu also won a runners-up medal when Villa lost 1–0 to Chelsea
in the 2000 FA Cup Final. He joined Middlesbrough
from Villa in November 2000 for, at the time, a club record fee of £8 million. The deal went ahead after negotiations between Villa and West Bromwich Albion, whose 50% sell-on clause on the player had been seen as a stumbling block to the move.
in central defence. He missed the start of the 2003–04 season with a knee injury but returned to play his part in Boro's Carling Cup success against Bolton Wanderers
. This knee injury returned in the 2004–05 season and again he was forced to miss many important games, although Boro still managed to scrape into the UEFA Cup
for a second successive season.
He agreed a move to West Bromwich Albion, the club where he had started as a 16 year-old, during the January transfer window
of 2006, but this move was cancelled when a number of Middlesbrough players became injured. On 23 November 2006 he moved to Leeds United
on loan for two months until January. Ehiogu was a regular in Leeds' starting lineup during his loan move, usually alongside Matt Heath
in central defence. He scored one goal against Barnsley and also an own goal during his spell at Leeds which expired on 1 January 2007 after he admitted to manager, Dennis Wise
that he could not play two matches in three days.
over a proposed transfer to the Scottish Premier League
club. On 22 January 2007, he signed an 18-month contract with Rangers after completing a medical. Once the technicalities of the transfer were concluded, Ehiogu officially joined Rangers three days later. His first goal for Rangers came with a spectacular overhead kick in his first Old Firm
game, giving Rangers a 1–0 win. On 16 April 2007 Ehiogu's goal against Celtic was voted Rangers' Goal of the Season at an award ceremony as voted for by the club's fans.
Ehiogu found his first team opportunities limited at the start of the 2007–08 season
, with Carlos Cuéllar
and David Weir
being preferred by manager Walter Smith
.
He was released by Rangers that January.
were interested in signing Ehiogu. The next day he was released by Rangers and travelled down to Sheffield for talks with club manager Bryan Robson
. He completed the move on 18 January 2008. Ehiogu made his first team debut for the Blades in a 1–1 home draw with Watford
at the end of January, and was used a defensive cover for the remainder of the season.
With injuries and suspensions to his fellow defenders in the early stages of the following season he forced his way into the first team and was rewarded with what turned out to be his only goal in Blades colours, scoring the winner against Preston in October 2008. Having embarked on his most successful spell for United he suffered an injury in the Boxing Day game against Wolves
which sidelined him for the rest of the season. After the Blades failed to gain promotion, Ehiogu was released at the end of the season when his contract expired as the club tried to cut costs.
On 3 August 2009, Ehiogu retired from football after a trial with MK Dons.
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former footballer who played as a centre back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, most recently for Sheffield United. Ehiogu is a former England international
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
who has also had lengthy spells at both Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
and Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in his career.
Aston Villa
Ehiogu began his career at West Bromwich AlbionWest Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
as a trainee, turning professional in 1989. After just a few games for Albion in the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
, Ron Atkinson
Ron Atkinson
Ronald Ernest Atkinson, commonly known as "Big Ron" and "Bojangles" is an English former football player and manager. In recent years he has become one of Britain's best-known football pundits...
brought him to First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
for £40,000 in August 1991. By 1994, he had replaced Shaun Teale
Shaun Teale
Shaun Teale is a former English professional footballer. He is perhaps most famous for being in the League Cup winning team of Aston Villa in 1994.-Playing career:...
as the main central defensive partner to Paul McGrath
Paul McGrath (footballer)
Paul McGrath is a retired Irish footballer, who played as a defender. McGrath is widely recognised as one of the greatest players to have ever come out of Ireland....
.
He remained at the club for nine years, making over 300 appearances in all competitions. He was part of the Villa team that won the 1996 League Cup as Villa beat Leeds 3–0. Ehiogu also won a runners-up medal when Villa lost 1–0 to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in the 2000 FA Cup Final. He joined Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
from Villa in November 2000 for, at the time, a club record fee of £8 million. The deal went ahead after negotiations between Villa and West Bromwich Albion, whose 50% sell-on clause on the player had been seen as a stumbling block to the move.
Middlesbrough
His career at Boro got off on the wrong foot when he was forced to limp off four minutes into his debut with a hamstring injury which kept him out for months. Whilst at Middlesbrough, Ehiogu quickly became a mainstay in the central defence since joining the club and rejoining his former team mate Gareth SouthgateGareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate in Crawley, West Sussex is a retired English footballer and ex-manager. He is known as the "Penalty Misser of '96." He served as manager of Middlesbrough from June 2006, until he was dismissed in October 2009...
in central defence. He missed the start of the 2003–04 season with a knee injury but returned to play his part in Boro's Carling Cup success against Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
. This knee injury returned in the 2004–05 season and again he was forced to miss many important games, although Boro still managed to scrape into the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
for a second successive season.
He agreed a move to West Bromwich Albion, the club where he had started as a 16 year-old, during the January transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
of 2006, but this move was cancelled when a number of Middlesbrough players became injured. On 23 November 2006 he moved to Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
on loan for two months until January. Ehiogu was a regular in Leeds' starting lineup during his loan move, usually alongside Matt Heath
Matt Heath
Matthew Philip "Matt" Heath is an English footballer, playing for Colchester United. His position is centre half.-Leicester City:...
in central defence. He scored one goal against Barnsley and also an own goal during his spell at Leeds which expired on 1 January 2007 after he admitted to manager, Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
that he could not play two matches in three days.
Rangers
Ehiogu was released from his contract at Middlesbrough and started talks with RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
over a proposed transfer to the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club. On 22 January 2007, he signed an 18-month contract with Rangers after completing a medical. Once the technicalities of the transfer were concluded, Ehiogu officially joined Rangers three days later. His first goal for Rangers came with a spectacular overhead kick in his first Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
game, giving Rangers a 1–0 win. On 16 April 2007 Ehiogu's goal against Celtic was voted Rangers' Goal of the Season at an award ceremony as voted for by the club's fans.
Ehiogu found his first team opportunities limited at the start of the 2007–08 season
2007-08 in Scottish football
The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic...
, with Carlos Cuéllar
Carlos Cuéllar
Carlos Javier Cuéllar Jiménez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Aston Villa. He is primarily a central defender, but can also operate as a right-back.-Early career:...
and David Weir
David Weir
David Weir is a Scottish association footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and is a Scottish internationalist, as a centre back....
being preferred by manager Walter Smith
Walter Smith
Walter Smith, OBE is a Scottish football manager. His most recent job was at Scottish Premier League club Rangers.Smith had a relatively modest playing career, consisting of two spells with Dundee United which was split by a short time at Dumbarton.A pelvic injury meant he moved in to coaching at...
.
He was released by Rangers that January.
Sheffield United
On 16 January 2008 it was reported that Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
were interested in signing Ehiogu. The next day he was released by Rangers and travelled down to Sheffield for talks with club manager Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
. He completed the move on 18 January 2008. Ehiogu made his first team debut for the Blades in a 1–1 home draw with Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
at the end of January, and was used a defensive cover for the remainder of the season.
With injuries and suspensions to his fellow defenders in the early stages of the following season he forced his way into the first team and was rewarded with what turned out to be his only goal in Blades colours, scoring the winner against Preston in October 2008. Having embarked on his most successful spell for United he suffered an injury in the Boxing Day game against Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
which sidelined him for the rest of the season. After the Blades failed to gain promotion, Ehiogu was released at the end of the season when his contract expired as the club tried to cut costs.
On 3 August 2009, Ehiogu retired from football after a trial with MK Dons.
International career
He made his senior England debut as a substitute against China in 1996. He went on to win another three caps and scored once for his country, in a 3–0 victory over SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition | Scored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 February 2001 | Villa Park Villa Park Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County... , Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a... |
3–0 | Friendly match | 1 | |
External links
- Ugo Ehiogu player profile at sufc.co.uk
- Ugo Ehiogu player profile at rangers.co.uk
- Ugo Ehiogu player profile at mfc.co.uk