![]() Igbekeme with the
Columbus Crew in 2022 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | James Omonigho Igbekeme | ||
Date of birth | 4 July 1995 | ||
Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria | ||
Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder, winger | ||
Youth career | |||
Ribeirão | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | ( Gls) |
2013–2015 | Ribeirão | 43 | (2) |
2015–2017 | Oliveirense | 55 | (10) |
2017–2018 | Gil Vicente | 32 | (5) |
2018–2023 | Zaragoza | 96 | (4) |
2022 | → Columbus Crew (loan) | 23 | (0) |
2023 | → Wisła Kraków (loan) | 14 | (1) |
2023–2024 | Ponferradina | 31 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 July 2024 |
James Omonigho Igbekeme (born 4 July 1995) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or winger. [1]
Born in Lagos, Igbekeme left his hometown at the age of 18 to join Portugese third division side G.D. Ribeirão in the 2013–14 season. [2] In 2015, he moved to fellow league team U.D. Oliveirense. [2]
In June 2017, Igbekeme signed for LigaPro side Gil Vicente F.C. [3] He made his professional debut on 6 August, starting and scoring the winner in a 2–1 away defeat of FC Porto B. [4]
On 28 October 2017, Igbekeme scored a brace in a 4–0 home routing of S.L. Benfica B. [5] He finished the campaign with five goals in 32 appearances, but his side eventually suffered relegation.
In June 2018, Igbekeme was transferred to Segunda División side Real Zaragoza for a reported €150,000, signing a four-year deal with the club. [6] [7] He made his debut in August on the first matchday of the season, a 2–1 home victory over Rayo Majadahonda. [8] Igbekeme scored his first goal for Los Blanquillos on 8 September against Real Oviedo. [9] On 18 June 2020, it was announced that Igbekeme had signed a contract extension, keeping him with Zaragoza until 2023. [10] Initially a regular starter, he gradually started to feature more sparingly due to injuries and loss of form. [2] [11]
In January 2022, Igbekeme signed a contract extension and was subsequently loaned to Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew until December, with Columbus holding an option to exercise a permanent transfer. [12] [13] After completing one season stateside, his purchase option was declined and he returned to Spain. However, new Zaragoza manager Fran Escribá did not see a place for Igbekeme in the squad, [14] and sent Igbekeme on loan to Polish side Wisła Kraków in late February 2023. [15] Igbekeme would make 14 appearances and score one goal for the club. [16]
On 10 August 2023, he terminated his contract with Zaragoza and signed a contract with SD Ponferradina. [17] [18] On 12 November, Igbekeme scored a free-kick goal in his team's 1-0 win against Rayo Majadahonda. [19]
Noted as a versatile player able to play multiple midfield positions as well as out wide on the wing, Igbekeme has described himself as a player who "works hard, enjoys putting in effort, and always likes to help the team." [20] [2]
![]() Igbekeme with the
Columbus Crew in 2022 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | James Omonigho Igbekeme | ||
Date of birth | 4 July 1995 | ||
Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria | ||
Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder, winger | ||
Youth career | |||
Ribeirão | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | ( Gls) |
2013–2015 | Ribeirão | 43 | (2) |
2015–2017 | Oliveirense | 55 | (10) |
2017–2018 | Gil Vicente | 32 | (5) |
2018–2023 | Zaragoza | 96 | (4) |
2022 | → Columbus Crew (loan) | 23 | (0) |
2023 | → Wisła Kraków (loan) | 14 | (1) |
2023–2024 | Ponferradina | 31 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 July 2024 |
James Omonigho Igbekeme (born 4 July 1995) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or winger. [1]
Born in Lagos, Igbekeme left his hometown at the age of 18 to join Portugese third division side G.D. Ribeirão in the 2013–14 season. [2] In 2015, he moved to fellow league team U.D. Oliveirense. [2]
In June 2017, Igbekeme signed for LigaPro side Gil Vicente F.C. [3] He made his professional debut on 6 August, starting and scoring the winner in a 2–1 away defeat of FC Porto B. [4]
On 28 October 2017, Igbekeme scored a brace in a 4–0 home routing of S.L. Benfica B. [5] He finished the campaign with five goals in 32 appearances, but his side eventually suffered relegation.
In June 2018, Igbekeme was transferred to Segunda División side Real Zaragoza for a reported €150,000, signing a four-year deal with the club. [6] [7] He made his debut in August on the first matchday of the season, a 2–1 home victory over Rayo Majadahonda. [8] Igbekeme scored his first goal for Los Blanquillos on 8 September against Real Oviedo. [9] On 18 June 2020, it was announced that Igbekeme had signed a contract extension, keeping him with Zaragoza until 2023. [10] Initially a regular starter, he gradually started to feature more sparingly due to injuries and loss of form. [2] [11]
In January 2022, Igbekeme signed a contract extension and was subsequently loaned to Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew until December, with Columbus holding an option to exercise a permanent transfer. [12] [13] After completing one season stateside, his purchase option was declined and he returned to Spain. However, new Zaragoza manager Fran Escribá did not see a place for Igbekeme in the squad, [14] and sent Igbekeme on loan to Polish side Wisła Kraków in late February 2023. [15] Igbekeme would make 14 appearances and score one goal for the club. [16]
On 10 August 2023, he terminated his contract with Zaragoza and signed a contract with SD Ponferradina. [17] [18] On 12 November, Igbekeme scored a free-kick goal in his team's 1-0 win against Rayo Majadahonda. [19]
Noted as a versatile player able to play multiple midfield positions as well as out wide on the wing, Igbekeme has described himself as a player who "works hard, enjoys putting in effort, and always likes to help the team." [20] [2]