Wikipedia

Angelo Ogbonna

Obinze Angelo Ogbonna(Italian pronunciation:[ˈandʒelooɡˈbɔnna];born 23 May 1988) is an Italian professionalfootballerwho plays as acentre backforEFL ChampionshipclubWatford.

Angelo Ogbonna
Ogbonna withWest Ham Unitedin 2021
Personal information
Full name Obinze Angelo Ogbonna[1]
Date of birth (1988-05-23)23 May 1988(age 36)[2]
Place of birth Cassino,Italy
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre back
Team information
Current team
 Watford
Number 21
Youth career
Cassino
2002–2006 Torino
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2013 Torino 150 (1)
2007–2008 →Crotone(loan) 22 (0)
2013–2015 Juventus 41 (0)
2015–2024 West Ham United 201 (8)
2024– Watford 4 (0)
International career
2009–2010 Italy U21 10 (0)
2011–2016 Italy 13 (0)
Medal record
Men'sFootball
RepresentingItaly
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up 2012
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 October 2024 (UTC)

Ogbonna signed forTorinoin 2002, having previously been a member ofNuova Cassino's youth set-up. Ogbonna made his debut inSerie Aat the age of 18 underAlberto Zaccheroni.After a loan spell atCrotoneinSerie C1,he returned to Torino, with whom he played for a further five seasons. In July 2013, he transferred to city rivals,Juventus,winning theScudettoin2013–14and2014–15,as well as the2013 Supercoppa Italianaand the2014–15 Coppa Italia.

As a member of theItaly national team,he played for the Italian side that finished runners-up atUEFA Euro 2012and also represented his nation atUEFA Euro 2016.

Club career

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Torino

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Ogbonna began his early career in the youth set-up ofCassino,where he played as acentral back.In 2002, he was noticed byTorino,which, on the recommendation ofAntonio Comi,[3]bought him for €3,000 and assigned him to their youth team.[4]In the 2006–07 season he was regularly called up to the first team and on 11 February 2007 he made his debut inSerie Aat age 18, againstReggina(1–2), as a starter under coachAlberto Zaccheroni.[5]At the end of season he totalled 4 league appearances.

The following August he moved on loan toCrotoneinSerie C1,[6]making 22 league appearances in the league and nearly earning promotion toSerie B,losing in the semi-final play-offs.

In the2008–09 Serie Aseason he returned to Torino, collecting 19 league appearances and four inCoppa Italia.Torino, however, were relegated toSerie Bat the end of the season. Starting from 2009, after the relegation of the club to Serie B, he earned his place as a starter for theGranata.On 17 April 2010, Ogbonna scored his first goal for Torino in the match againstCesena,finishing 1–1.[7]On 15 August 2010, in the second round ofCoppa ItaliaagainstCosenza(won 3–1 in extra time), he wore thecaptain's armband for the first time. In three Serie B seasons with Torino, Ogbonna made 105 appearances, helping the club return to Serie A after finishing second toPescaraduring the2011–12 season.

On 2 February 2012, he renewed his contract with Torino until 30 June 2016.[8]

Juventus

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Ogbonna playing forJuventusin 2014

On 11 July 2013, Ogbonna underwent a medical atTurin's Fornaca, Isokinetic and the Istituto di Medicina dello Sport ahead of his proposed cross-town move toJuventus.[9]After passing the medical, he officially signed for Juventus for a transfer fee of €13 million, with an additional €2 million to be paid in future bonuses.[10]He became the first player to becomecaptainof theGranataand transfer to rivals Juventus,[11]sparking much dislike with his old supporters of Torino.[12]

He made his Champions League debut in on 17 September 2013, againstF.C. Copenhagen.[13]In his first season, despite being behindAndrea Barzagli,Leonardo BonucciandGiorgio Chielliniin the pecking order at centre back, Ogbonna managed 25 appearances in all competitions, mostly starting in matches in the latter half of the season as the team was heavily rotated for league, Coppa Italia and Champions League matches. Ogbonna played 16 league games for Juventus in the2013–14 season,as they won Serie A title.[13]He was also a member of the side which won the2013 Supercoppa Italiana[13]In the2014–15season, Juventus defended the Serie A title once again, with Ogbonna making 25 league appearances, and the2014–15 Coppa Italia.[13]On 6 June 2015, he was an unused substitute as Juventus lost theChampions League Final3–1 toBarcelonain Berlin.[13]

West Ham United

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Ogbonna playing forWest Ham Unitedin 2019

On 10 July 2015, Ogbonna joinedPremier LeagueclubWest Ham United,on a four-year contract, for €11 million to be spread over the next three financial years.[14][15]He made his debut 20 days later in the Europa Leaguethird qualifying round,starting againstAstra Giurgiu;in the 82nd minute he netted anown goalequaliser as West Ham drew 2–2 at theBoleyn Ground.[16]On 9 February 2016, Ogbonna scored his first goal for the club, netting an injury-time match-winning header in the 121st minute of a 2–1 home win overLiverpool,in the fourth roundFA Cupreplay.[17]

Having played 18 of a possible 22 Premier League games for West Ham in the2016–17 season,he was ruled out for the remainder of the season as he required an operation. West Ham manager,Slaven Bilić,said that Ogbonna had played every game of the season despite carrying the injury.[18]He returned for the final game of the 2016–17 season, a 2–1 away win againstBurnley.[19]In June 2017, Ogbonna signed a new contract with West Ham committing him to the club until 2022.[20]

On 11 December 2020, Ogbonna scored the winning goal in a 2–1 away win overLeeds Unitedwhich secured West Ham's first win atElland Roadsince 2000.[21]In November 2021, Ogbonna damaged hisanterior cruciate ligamentin a home win againstLiverpool.The injury ruled him out for the rest of the2021–22 season.[22]Ogbonna made his return on 18 August 2022 in the2022–23 Europa Conference Leaguein a 3–1 home win against Danish teamViborg.[23][24]

In June 2024, West Ham announced that Ogbonna would be leaving the club at the end of the2023–24 season;he made 249 appearances for theHammers,scoring 13 goals.[25][26][27]Having played 201 Premier League games, he was the second Italian footballer with the highest number of appearances in the league at the time of his departure, behind onlyGianfranco Zola.[28][29]

Watford

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On 27 August 2024, Ogbonna signed forEFL ChampionshipclubWatfordon an initial one-year contract.[30]

International career

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On 12 August 2009, he made his debut with theItalian under-21 teamin a friendly game againstRussia.[31]

Ogbonna made hisseniordebut on 11 November 2011 in a 2–0friendlyvictory againstPoland,where he came on as a substitute forDomenico Criscitoin the 77th minute.[31]

Ogbonna was included by managerCesare Prandelliin the Italian 23-man final squad forEuro 2012,but did not play during the competition.[31]

In May 2016, Ogbonna was included in the provisional 30-man Italy squad forEuro 2016;[32]On 31 May 2016, he was named inAntonio Conte's final 23-man squad for the tournament.[33]Ogbonna made his only appearance of the tournament on 22 June, in Italy's final group match, which ended in a 1–0 defeat toIreland.[34]In October 2020, after a two-year absence, Ogbonna was called into the Italian squad by manager,Roberto Mancini,for two games in theNations League.[35]

Style of play

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A strong and powerful central defender, Ogbonna is primarily known for his outstanding physical attributes;[36][37]he is also a competent tackler, and possesses a good positional sense, as well as an ability to read the game.[38][39]He is also capable of playing as aleft backon occasion, due to his pace, technique, ball skills, vision, and distribution with his left foot.[36][37]

Personal life

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Ogbonna was born to Nigerian parents who emigrated to Italy from Nigeria in 1983, settling in the city ofCassinoin the central part of the country, but managed to obtain Italian citizenship only after his 18th birthday.[40]

On 22 December 2008, Ogbonna survived a car accident nearTurinafter he lost control of hisSmart carand drove off a bridge into atorrentat around 5:00 AM.[41]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 19 October 2024[13]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Torino 2006–07 Serie A 4 0 0 0 — — — 4 0
2008–09 19 0 4 0 — — — 23 0
2009–10 Serie B 31 1 1 0 — — 3[c] 0 35 1
2010–11 35 0 2 0 — — — 37 0
2011–12 39 0 2 0 — — — 41 0
2012–13 Serie A 22 0 1 0 — — — 23 0
Total 150 1 10 0 — — 3 0 163 1
Crotone(loan) 2007–08 Serie C1 22 0 1 0 — — 2[d] 0 25 0
Juventus 2013–14 Serie A 16 0 2 0 — 6[e] 0 1[f] 0 25 0
2014–15 25 0 4 0 — 1[g] 0 0 0 30 0
Total 41 0 6 0 — 7 0 1 0 55 0
West Ham United 2015–16 Premier League 28 0 5 1 0 0 1[h] 0 — 34 1
2016–17 20 0 1 0 3 0 2[h] 0 — 26 0
2017–18 32 1 3 0 4 2 — — 39 3
2018–19 24 1 2 0 3 2 — — 29 3
2019–20 31 2 2 0 0 0 — — 33 2
2020–21 28 3 2 0 0 0 — — 30 3
2021–22 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 11 1
2022–23 16 0 3 0 1 0 10[i] 0 — 30 0
2023–24 11 0 1 0 2 0 3[h] 0 — 17 0
Total 201 8 19 1 13 4 16 0 — 249 13
Watford 2024–25 Championship 4 0 0 0 1 0 — — 5 0
Career total 418 9 35 1 14 4 23 0 6 0 497 14
  1. ^IncludesCoppa ItaliaandFA Cup
  2. ^IncludesEFL Cup
  3. ^Appearance(s) in Serie B promotion play-offs
  4. ^Appearance(s) in Serie C1 promotion play-offs
  5. ^Three appearances inUEFA Champions League,three appearances inUEFA Europa League
  6. ^Appearance inSupercoppa Italiana
  7. ^Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  8. ^abcAppearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  9. ^Appearances inUEFA Europa Conference League

International

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Ogbonna withItalyin 2012
As of match played 5 September 2016[42]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Italy 2011 1 0
2012 4 0
2013 4 0
2014 1 0
2016 3 0
Total 13 0

Honours

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Torino

Juventus[13]

West Ham United

Italy[13]

References

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  1. ^"Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed".Premier League. 2 February 2018.Retrieved18 February2018.
  2. ^ab"Angelo Ogbonna Profile".Premier League.Retrieved4 October2020.
  3. ^Marina Beccuti (30 August 2011)."Comi" consiglia "la Roma ad Ogbonna".torinogranata.it.Retrieved13 October2011.
  4. ^Pietro Ivaldi (5 February 2011)."Ogbonna, questione di testa".La Stampa. p. 43. Archived fromthe originalon 10 November 2013.Retrieved5 February2011.
  5. ^Roberto Condio (12 February 2006)."Il Toro ai raggi X".La Stampa. p. 53. Archived fromthe originalon 10 November 2013.Retrieved30 December2010.
  6. ^"Cioffi all'Ascoli, Ogbonna al Crotone".torinofc.it. 31 August 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 6 September 2007.Retrieved24 September2010.
  7. ^"TORINO FC 1906 SITO UFFICIALE - Pareggio interno per i granata".Archived fromthe originalon 13 September 2012.Retrieved8 July2015.
  8. ^"OGBONNA RINNOVA FINO AL 2016".Torino FC(in Italian). 2 February 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 9 December 2012.Retrieved9 February2012.
  9. ^"Ogbonna completes Juventus medical".Juventus.Retrieved7 July2015.
  10. ^"Ogbonna signs for Juventus".Juventus.Retrieved7 July2015.
  11. ^"Ogbonna, capitano granata che volle farsi juventino".Archivio — la Repubblica.it.10 July 2013.Retrieved7 July2015.
  12. ^""Gobbonna"? No, grazie ".Panorama.Archived fromthe originalon 21 December 2013.Retrieved7 July2015.
  13. ^abcdefgh"A. Ogbonna".Soccerway.Retrieved8 July2015.
  14. ^"Thanks, Angelo — Juventus".Juventus.Retrieved24 May2016.
  15. ^"Angelo Ogbonna: West Ham sign Juventus defender".BBC Sport.Retrieved10 July2015.
  16. ^"West Ham 2–2 Astra Giurgiu".BBC Sport. 30 July 2015.Retrieved30 July2015.
  17. ^James Riach (9 February 2016)."Angelo Ogbonna heads West Ham past Liverpool in FA Cup replay".The Guardian.Retrieved10 February2016.
  18. ^"Angelo Ogbonna: West Ham defender to miss rest of season".BBC Sport. 21 January 2017.Retrieved25 January2017.
  19. ^"Burnley 1–2 West Ham United – Premier League – Football".sportsmole.co.uk.Retrieved30 June2017.
  20. ^"Angelo Ogbonna signs new contract – West Ham United".whufc.Retrieved30 June2017.
  21. ^Stone, Simon (11 December 2020)."Leeds 1-2 West Ham: David Moyes angry at VAR despite Angelo Ogbonna winner".BBC Sport.Retrieved11 December2020.
  22. ^"Ogbonna set to miss the rest of the season".BBC Sport.
  23. ^"Team News: Ogbonna returns for Viborg, full debuts for Cornet & Scamacca".West Ham United F.C.Retrieved19 August2022.
  24. ^"Scamacca's off the mark as Hammers take 3-1 lead to Denmark".West Ham United F.C.Retrieved19 August2022.
  25. ^"Ogbonna and Anang to leave West Ham United".West Ham United F.C.5 June 2024.Retrieved5 June2024.
  26. ^"West Ham United news: Angelo Ogbonna to leave Hammers when contract expires".BBC Sport.5 June 2024.Retrieved6 June2024.
  27. ^Ouzia, Malik (5 June 2024)."West Ham release Ogbonna as Johnson and Mubama contract talks continue".Evening Standard.Retrieved10 June2024.
  28. ^Chinellato, Davide (5 June 2024)."Ogbonna lascia il West Ham dopo 9 anni. Torna in Italia?".La Gazzetta dello Sport(in Italian).Retrieved6 June2024.
  29. ^Cotugno, Ada (5 June 2024)."Angelo Ogbonna lascia il West Ham dopo 9 stagioni: gli inglesi dicono addio a 'Uncle Ange'".Fanpage.it(in Italian).Retrieved6 June2024.
  30. ^"Official: Ogbonna Strengthens Defensive Options".Watford F.C. 27 August 2024.Retrieved27 August2024.
  31. ^abc"Nazionale in cifre: Ogbonna Obinze, Angelo"(in Italian). FIGC. Archived fromthe originalon 9 July 2012.Retrieved24 May2015.
  32. ^"West Ham Defender Ogbonna Included In Italy Provisional Roster For Euro 2016:: All Nigeria Soccer — The Complete Nigerian Football Portal".AllNigeriaSoccer.Retrieved24 May2016.
  33. ^"OFFICIAL: Italy squad for Euro 2016".Football Italia. 31 May 2016.Retrieved31 May2016.
  34. ^Adams, Sam (22 June 2016)."Brady sends euphoric Ireland into the last 16".UEFA.Retrieved22 June2016.
  35. ^"Italy announce squad bereft of Napoli players pending Covid-19 tests".
  36. ^ab"Torino: Fenomeno Ogbonna, gioiello per l'estate"[Torino: Ogbonna Phenomenon, jewel for the summer] (in Italian). tuttomercatoweb.Retrieved13 September2014.
  37. ^abAdam Digby (29 May 2015)."Juve's Prem-linked stopper who needs a new home this summer".FourFourTwo.Retrieved26 January2017.
  38. ^MINA RZOUKI (4 June 2015)."Giorgio Chiellini's leadership will be missed in UCL final absence".ESPN FC.Retrieved14 February2017.
  39. ^Dave Taylor (14 July 2013)."Ogbonna – From Bull to Bianconero".Football Italia.Retrieved14 February2017.
  40. ^"All Black Italians".Italia-Razzismo. 20 October 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 26 April 2012.Retrieved26 November2011.
  41. ^"Che paura per Ogbonna! Giù da un ponte con l'auto"(in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 22 December 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 23 December 2008.Retrieved22 December2008.
  42. ^"Ogbonna, Angelo".National Football Teams.Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann.Retrieved11 February2019.
  43. ^"Ogbonna: We cannot fail at home in front of our fans".West Ham Unitex. 15 March 2019.Retrieved7 June2023.
  44. ^Stone, Simon (7 June 2023)."Fiorentina 1–2 West Ham United: Jarrod Bowen goal decides Europa Conference League final".BBC Sport.Retrieved7 June2023.
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