Uche Kalu (born 16 May 1986)[1] is a Nigerian football player who plays for Altyn Asyr FK in the Turkmenistan Higher League.[2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Uche Kalu | ||
| Date of birth | (1986-05-16) 16 May 1986 (age 36) | ||
| Place of birth | Aba, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Altyn Asyr | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Bussdor United | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006–2007 | Bussdor United | 10 | (7) |
| 2007–2013 | Enyimba | 9 | (4) |
| 2012–2013 | → Çaykur Rizespor (loan) | 12 | (9) |
| 2013–2014 | Çaykur Rizespor | 8 | (0) |
| 2014 | → Adanaspor (loan) | 14 | (2) |
| 2015–2016 | Tobol | 22 | (5) |
| 2016 | Adanaspor | 14 | (5) |
| 2016–2017 | Gaziantep BB | 28 | (6) |
| 2018 | Adanaspor | 11 | (3) |
| 2018–2019 | Al-Markhiya | ||
| 2019– | Altyn Asyr | ||
| National team | |||
| 2012 | Nigeria | 7 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:13, 24 December 2019 (UTC) | |||
He is not related to former Enyimba teammate Henry Uche nor fellow Nigeria international and India-based midfielder Kalu Uche.
In 2007, he was named[by whom?] as "Most Valuable Player" in the Nigerian Premier League after joining Enyimba from second-level team Bussdor United F.C.[3] He however struggled with injuries the next few years. After a failed transfer attempt to Botola team Wydad Casablanca in February 2012,[4] he rejoined Enyimba.
He moved to Turkish second-tier team Çaykur Rizespor in August 2012, and had a goal and assist in his debut.[5]
In January 2014, Uche Kalu joined Adanaspor on a loan deal.[6]
In January 2015, Kalu went on trial with Kazakhstan Premier League side FC Tobol,[7] signing a year-long contract with the club on 6 February 2015.[8]
Kalu returned to Adanaspor in January 2016, signing a one and half year contract.
On 24 April 2016 Adanaspor guaranteed to play in the first tier of Turkish football after 12 years. Kalu Uche played a very pig part in this success story.[9]
In August 2019, Niger Uche Kalu and Kenya Peter Opiyo signed a contract with FC Altyn Asyr from Turkmenistan.[10] This is the first foreign footballer in the history of the club and the first legionnaire in the 2019 Ýokary Liga season.
He was a member of the Nigeria B team that won the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup. His regained form saw him called up by Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi in 2012. He made his senior debut in the Eagles' 0-0 tie against Angola in January 2012. He scored his first goal in a friendly later that year against Egypt.