Top performers after relegation
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Ikem Ugoh has signed his first professional contract with Holstein Kiel. According to the second division club, the midfielder is now tied to the fjord until 2028. The 20-year-old will initially continue to gain playing time in the U23. Ugoh’s goal is to establish himself in the professional squad in the future. The former Lübeck native has been with the club since 2020. In the past regional league season, the talent made 26 appearances, mostly as a joker. Since relegation to the league, he has been in the starting line-up in all 17 games.
“The sustainable development of young talent and the permeability of the youth sector is one of the pillars of our holistic sporting orientation,” explained Kiel’s sports director Olaf Rebbe in a club statement. “It is therefore important for us to show a player like Ikem Ugoh a clear path and a long-term perspective at an early stage.”
Coach Marcel Rapp said about Ugoh: “Ikem is a dynamic and flexible midfielder who we will slowly introduce to our team. He impresses with good performances in the U23 and is already regularly involved in our training.”