Chinedu Obasi

Chinedu Obasi Biography / Profile

Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (popularly called Edu Obasi), was born in Enugu, Enugu State, on June 1st, 1986. His name, Obasi, means "Glory of God" in the Nigerian Igbo language. He is a professional footballer who plays as a forward and has played for five different clubs in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and China, where he played under Sven Goran Erikssen. He currently plays in the English Football League Championship with Bolton Wanderers. He was once best known for being a top talent on Football Manager games circa 2009. This came after the best season of his career with Hoffenheim where he struck 12 goals.

Chinedu Obasi Age

Chinedu Obasi is 37 years old.

Chinedu Obasi Early Life

Obasi is the last of six children in his family. As the last in th family, he got all the needed support and encouragement from his immediate family, uncles, family friends and everyone around. He started in 2001 with an academy known as River Lane Academy based in Enugu, before he progressed into the U17 national team. He also participated in the Shell Cup and also in Pepsi Academy tournament where he represented one of the secondary schools in Anambra State.

Chinedu Obasi Career

After spending 8 years playing for the youth teams of River Lane Youth Club Enugu, Enugu Rangers, and JC Raiders all in Nigeria, Obasi moved abroad in 2005 to join Norwegian football club, Lyn Toppfotball. On April 10th 2005, he played his first game for Lyn in a 1–1 draw against Fredrikstad. His time at the club was however hampered by numerous disputes with the club in FIFA. He came close to playing in England as a teenager, with reports suggesting that Tottenham, Wigan and Portsmouth all wanted to sign him, but he could not get a work permit. He eventually left the club in the summer of 2007 signing for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga. Upon arrival in Germany, he made an immediate impact scoring twice on his debut in a 2-3 lose to Freiburg. He helped the club win promotion to the Bundesliga in his first season in Germany. In March 2008, he scored in a 1-1 draw against German giants, Bayern Munich. Obasi's time in Germany was blighted by injuries. After moving on loan to another German club, Schalke 04 in 2011, and a subsequent three year contract with the club in 2012, he began experiencing inconsistent performances due to lingering injuries. He was diagnosed as suffering from what is called shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome. When he went for treatment to put a halt to the persistent injury, the doctor who operated on him, insighted a screw inside his leg in order to aid him in continuing with his football. But unfortunately, his body reacted to it so it had to be removed causing a long lay-off. He scored for Schalke in the UEFA Champions League in 2014 against Sporting. At the end of the 2014/2015 season, he was released by Schalke 04. After a year without a club, he joined AIK of Sweden in the summer of 2016. He rejoined AIK in 2017 after a short spell at China League One club Shenzhen FC where he earned a lucrative deal. On March 3rd 2018, he joined Bolton Wanderers on a short term deal to exprire at the end of the 2018/2019 season. He completed his move to Macron Stadium following a successful trial period.

While playing for Lyn Oslo, Obasi was courted by the Norwagean FA to play for their national team. He however, opted to feature for Nigeria which he had also represented at different youth levels. He represented Nigeria at the U-20 FIFA World Youth Championship losing 2-1 to Argentina in the final. He also part of the Nigerian U-23 team that lost to Argentina at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics final. Both Argentine teams were led by Lionel Messi. He made his international debut at the 2010 African Nations Cup winning the bronze medal with the team. He was also called up for the FIFA World Cup same year. In all, hee has twenty appearances for the National team contributing four goals.

Chinedu Obasi Personal Life

Obais is a devoted Christian and prays before all his games. He speaks German fluently and rceived the German citizenship in March 2015. His elder brother, Henry Obasi, a business man, prides himself as both the father figure and role model to the player.

Chinedu Obasi Awards

Obasi has been a recepient of numerous awards. In August 2006, he was voted the Norwegian Premier League player of the month. He also won the Kniksen award for the Young player of the year in 2006. The award is named after the legendary Norwegian football player Roald Jensen, nicknamed "Kniksen".