Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi

Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi

Ikwuemesi with Vorwärts Steyr in 2021
Personal information
Full name	Charles Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi
Date of birth	(2001-08-05) 5 August 2001 (age 24)
Place of birth	Lagos, Nigeria
Height	1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position	Forward
Team information
Current team	Oud-Heverlee Leuven
Number	19
Youth career
	Olive Charles Academy
2020–2021	Giant Brillars
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2022	Giant Brillars	0	(0)
2021	→ Vorwärts Steyr (loan)	8	(1)
2022	Krško	11	(4)
2022–2023	Celje	32	(10)
2023–2024	Salernitana	25	(1)
2024–	OH Leuven	45	(7)
International career‡
2020	Nigeria U20	3	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 3 November 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 8 September 2023

Charles Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (born 5 August 2001) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Belgian Pro League club OH Leuven.

Club career

Ikwuemesi is a youth product of the Nigerian clubs Olive Charles Academy and Giant Brillars. ^[1] He began his senior career on loan with the Austrian 2. Liga club Vorwärts Steyr on 31 August 2021. ^[2] On 31 December 2021, his loan with Vorwärts Steyr was terminated due to financial problems. ^[3] After a short return to Nigeria, he moved to the Slovenian Second League club Krško, where he scored 4 goals in 11 league appearances. On 2 July 2022, he signed with the Slovenian PrvaLiga side Celje on a 3 years contract. ^[4] On 18 August 2023, he transferred to the Italian Serie A club Salernitana on a contract until 2027. ^[5]

International career

Ikwuemesi is a youth international for Nigeria, having been called up to the Nigeria U20s in 2020 for the WAFU B Cup of Nations tournament. ^{[6] [7]}

References

1. "The True Story Behind The Alleged 15 Million Naira Transfer Of Nigeria U20 Star Ikwuemesi To Giant Brila FC - OwnGoal Nigeria". 5 December 2020.
2. "ADMIRAL 2. Liga: Zwei neue Stürmer für Vorwärts Steyr". www.laola1.at.
3. "Admiral 2. Liga: Steyr trennt sich von Ikwuemesi und Demonjic". www.laola1.at.
4. "Confirmed deal : Former Flying Eagles striker inks three-year contract with Slovenian club:: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal". www.allnigeriasoccer.com.
5. "Salernitana, preso a titolo definitivo l'attaccante Ikwuemesi: contratto fino al 2027". 18 August 2023.
6. "How Little Known Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi Became Nigeria U20 First Choice Striker Ahead Of Peter Olawale - OwnGoal Nigeria". 1 December 2020.
7. "5 Flying Eagles to shine at U20 AFCON qualifiers – Score Nigeria". Archived from the original on 4 December 2020.

External links

• Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi at the U.S. Salernitana 1919 website
• Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi at Soccerway
• Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi at BDFutbol