John Utaka

Infobox Football biography
playername = John Utaka
fullname = John Chukwudi Utaka
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1982|1|8|df=y
cityofbirth = Enugu
countryofbirth = Nigeria
height = height|meters=1.76
currentclub = Portsmouth
clubnumber = 17
position = Winger, Striker
nickname = "Attacker", "torpedo"
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1997-2000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2005
2005-2007
2007-
clubs = Enugu Rangers
Ismaily SC
Al-Sadd Sports Club
RC Lens
Stade Rennais
Portsmouth
caps(goals) = 045 (11)
021 (17)
027 (14)
102 (24)
063 (22)
032 0(5)
nationalyears = 2002-
nationalteam = Nigeria
nationalcaps(goals) = 034 0(5)
pcupdate = 19:20, 13 September 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 17:19, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

John Chukwudi Utaka (born 8 January 1982 in Enugu, Nigeria) is a Nigerian football player. His Igbo name, Chukwudi, means "There is God". [ [http://www.nigerian.name/w/index.php?title=Chukwudi Meaning of Chukwudi in Nigerian.name] ] He has played for several clubs across three continents, first for Arab Contractors and subsequently Ismaily of Egypt, then spending a season playing for Al-Sadd of Qatar, before joining Racing Lens and later Rennes in France. He now plays for Portsmouth in England, mainly as a pacy winger who is utilised for the team's counter attaking. He is the older brother of Peter Utaka.

Utaka struggled to make an impact at the start of his Rennes stint. However, he took advantage of the absence of fellow striker Alexander Frei through injury to make his breakthrough. In February 2006, he scored two consecutive hat-tricks, against Lens and Lyon, and as a result received L'Equipe's player of the month award.

He plays for Nigeria and was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He started four of Nigeria's six games in the 2006 African Cup of Nations, in which Nigeria finished in third place.

In Egypt, while with Ismaily, Utaka earned cult status with the local fans. They used to chant "Oh Oh Oh Utaka, Oh Oh Oh Utaka" during the matches. He played alongside the likes of Mohammed Barakat, Islam El-Shater, and captain Mohamed Salah Abo Greisha under the guidance of Mohsen Saleh, later appointed coach of Egypt.

Utaka joined Portsmouth on a four-year deal in July 2007, for a fee of around £7,000,000 [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6292088.stm|title=Portsmouth bring in striker Utaka|date=2007-07-11|accessdate=2007-07-11|publisher=BBC Sport] scoring his first goal on August 11, 2007 in a game against newly promoted Derby County. Some sources claim he became the club's record signing. [ [http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premiership/article2758772.ece Portsmouth splash out again to seal Utaka deal - Premier League, Football - Independent.co.uk ] ]

On 17 May 2008 Portsmouth won the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Cardiff City. John Utaka provided the cross for the winning goal which was scored by Nwankwo Kanu.

Career statistics

List of honours

Portsmouth F.C.
* FA Cup: 2008

References

External links

*soccerbase|id=30812|name=John Utaka
*lfpfr|id=105368|name=John Utaka
* [http://www.stade-rennais-online.com/John-Utaka.html John Utaka's profile, stats & pics]
* [http://www.sitercl.com/Fichejo/U/utakajoh.htm Player profile and pictures]
* [http://www.nigerianplayers.com/player.asp?pid=21 Player profile and career]