Debuted in the second division squad
The 2: 3 at Hannover 96 on the last day of the second division season 2021/22 will not go down in history at FC Ingolstadt 04. Weeks ago, the direct relegation of the “Schanzer” to the 3rd league was certain, the view of the sporting management has long been focused on it, the squad planning is underway. Michael Udebuluzor could also play a role in this. For the 18-year-old centre-forward, this defeat on the leash has a completely different meaning. After a difficult path that took him from his home country of Hong Kong to Germany in 2018 for his dream of professional football, he made it into the squad for the first time on this 34th matchday.
“Before the game, it was just really nice to be able to warm up in such a stadium and in such an atmosphere. You are even more motivated! It was very exciting during the game,” the Hong Kong-born son of former Nigerian professional Cornelius Udebuluzor describes his experience in the 2nd Bundesliga in an interview with Transfermarkt. When he heard about the nomination from head coach Rüdiger Rehm, he was of course “very happy”.
From the youth of the eleven-time champion in Hong Kong, Kitchee, Udebuluzor moved to the German football boarding school in Bad Aibling in 2018 – and there he attracted the attention of the scouts of several professional clubs from the region – from Red Bull Salzburg to 1860 Munich, SpVgg Unterhaching to the “Schanzern”, for which he finally decided. “I felt the trust of the club and the talks with those responsible really convinced me,” he explains his decision and says: “I think I can achieve my goals faster here than at other clubs.” Also than at VfB Stuttgart or Wolverhampton Wanderers, who made inquiries last year.
FC Ingolstadt’s Udebuluzor: From Hong Kong to Germany at the age of 14
Udebuluzor emphasizes how comfortable he now feels in Ingolstadt – a fact that he also owes to his team of advisors, who have been looking after him “like family” since moving to Germany. His parents didn’t come to Germany from Hong Kong at first, but they spent a lot of money to make it possible for their son to get there. “My father was a professional soccer player himself in various clubs in Europe and knew that good work was being done in German youth soccer. He then took me abroad so that I could develop both as a footballer and as a person.”
With nine goals, Udebuluzor is the second top scorer of the Schanzer U19s this season
It wasn’t easy at all, says Udebuluzor. He was just 14 years old when he moved to Bad Aibling: “It was very hard for me at first, but over time you got used to it. Unfortunately, when I wanted to fly home to see my family during the winter holidays or in the summer, that was not possible due to preparation or school.” Then there was Corona, which is still an even bigger issue in China and Hong Kong than in Germany.
If Udebuluzor had wanted to fly to his family since the outbreak of the pandemic, “I would have been in quarantine there for at least two weeks, but that’s not the point and purpose behind it. I haven’t seen my family for more than three years now and it’s still not easy. But I try to stay positive every day and realize that I gave up a lot in order to achieve my goal of becoming a professional footballer.”
Pro at FC Ingolstadt, national player for Nigeria? Udebuluzor’s dreams within reach
Udebuluzor has undoubtedly come closer to this goal this season. He scored nine goals and one assist for Ingolstadt’s U19s in the U19 Bundesliga South/Southwest – and in doing so also attracted the interest of head coach Rehm. He cannot yet say whether he is planning with him for the upcoming third division squad, said Udebuluzor: “I’m not Rüdiger Rehm. I can only step on the gas and show what I’ve got. Then we’ll see what happens.” Even before the start of the preparation, in which he will definitely take part, he wants to work for it and “bring his fitness to a new level”.
If Udebuluzor makes a breakthrough with the pros of the “Schanzer”, things could also go quickly for him in terms of the national team. He would be eligible to play for Hong Kong and Nigeria – his focus is on the African country where his family comes from: “Hong Kong and I have been in contact before, but I want to play for Nigeria if I have the opportunity. As far as I know, my advisors are in contact with the Nigerian FA.”
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