At 18 years and 352 days old, Francis Uzoho became the youngest foreign goalkeeper to debut in La Liga during a 2017 match for Deportivo de La Coruña. Since then, the Nigerian international has established a professional career across Spain and Cyprus, serving as a primary shot-stopper for Omonia and his national side.
Early Career and Spanish Development
Born in Nwangele on 28 October 1998, Uzoho began his formal football training in 2013 at the Aspire Academy branch in Senegal. Although he originally played as a forward, he transitioned to goalkeeper at age 12. After displaying talent during a Barcelona tournament, he secured a spot with the Deportivo de La Coruña youth setup. He debuted for the club's reserve team in September 2017 and subsequently moved to the senior squad, where his performance against SD Eibar marked his historic introduction to top-flight Spanish football.
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Following a loan spell at Elche CF, Uzoho pursued opportunities in the Cypriot First Division. His time at Anorthosis Famagusta was marked by administrative controversy regarding his health certification, resulting in a league-imposed point deduction for the club. He later joined Omonia on a permanent basis following a brief stint at APOEL. During his tenure at Omonia, he secured the Cypriot Cup in 2022 and 2023 and the league title in 2025–26. A standout performance occurred in October 2022 against Manchester United at Old Trafford, where he recorded 12 saves in a narrow Europa League defeat.
International Representation
Uzoho's association with Nigeria began with the under-17 squad at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He earned his senior team debut in November 2017 during a friendly against Argentina. He represented his country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Despite suffering a ligament injury in 2019 and facing criticism following a 2022 World Cup qualifying match against Ghana, he remained a fixture in the national setup. He was selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Fast facts
- Born: 28 October 1998, Nwangele
- Citizenship: Nigeria
- Height: 1.96 m
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Professional Debut: 2017
- Honours: Cypriot Cup (2022, 2023), Cypriot First Division (2025–26)
- Languages: English, Igbo, Nigerian Pidgin
Questions readers ask
What is Francis Uzoho's current club?
He plays for the Cypriot First Division club Omonia.
Did Francis Uzoho play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Yes, he was the starting goalkeeper for Nigeria in all three group stage matches.
