Nedum Onuoha

3.1.1. Youth career and debut

Onuoha joined Manchester City's youth academy in 1996 at the age of ten and steadily progressed through the age groups. He played regularly for the club's reserve team during the 2003-04 season. His first involvement with the Manchester City senior squad came in the 2004-05 pre-season, featuring in a friendly match against Bury.

He made his official first-team debut for Manchester City on October 27, 2004, at the age of 17, playing the full match in a League Cup fixture against Arsenal. His Premier League debut followed on November 1, 2004, as a substitute in a home game against Norwich City. Although naturally a centre-half, manager Kevin Keegan initially deployed him at right back to enhance his passing skills. Onuoha made his first Premier League start on November 20, 2004, playing the entire game in a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth, with Keegan praising his performance.

3.1.2. Premier League spell and injuries

After a two-month absence due to a hamstring injury sustained in mid-January 2005, Onuoha returned to the starting lineup on March 19, 2005, in a 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, where he conceded a goal before being substituted. Despite this, he featured in the remaining matches of the season, consistently playing at right-back and contributing to three clean sheets between April 20 and April 30, 2005. For his performances, he was awarded the club's Young Player of the Year at the end of the 2004-05 season, having made eighteen appearances across all competitions.

The 2005-06 season saw Onuoha miss its beginning due to another hamstring injury. His first appearance came on August 23, 2005, as a late substitute in a 2-1 win over Sunderland. He was later red-carded in a League Cup match against Doncaster Rovers after a collision with their goalkeeper, though the red card was later rescinded. He then suffered a groin injury in October 2005, sidelining him for two months. During this period, he received the BBC North West Sports Personality of the Year Award for newcomer honor. He returned on December 12, 2005, playing the full game in a 4-1 win over Birmingham City. However, a damaged knee ligament in February 2006 ended his season prematurely, limiting him to twelve appearances.

Onuoha continued to be sidelined at the start of the 2006-07 season while recovering from his knee ligament injury. He made his first appearance on November 18, 2006, as a late substitute in a 3-1 win over Fulham. He then played in six consecutive matches before suffering another knee injury. He returned on March 31, 2007, starting in a 1-0 victory against Newcastle United, and subsequently established himself in the first team for the remainder of the season, making nineteen appearances in total.

In the 2007-08 season, Onuoha started strongly, assisting a goal in a 2-0 win over West Ham United. He captained Manchester City to a 2-1 League Cup victory over Bristol City in August 2007. Despite battling injuries, he remained a competitor for a first-team defensive spot. After two months out, he returned on December 22, 2007, in a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa. On March 16, 2008, he scored his first goal for City in a 2-1 home win against Tottenham Hotspur. However, his season concluded prematurely on April 5, 2008, when he dislocated his shoulder against Chelsea, requiring surgery. He finished the season with twenty-one appearances and one goal.

The 2008-09 season began with Onuoha making his UEFA Cup debut in a 2-0 win over EB/Streymur. However, he was sidelined again with a knee injury sustained on international duty, returning on October 20, 2008, as a substitute against Newcastle United. After two months on the bench, he started every game from January until the end of the season, forming an effective partnership with Richard Dunne in central defence. He scored his first goal of the season in the UEFA Cup against Copenhagen in a 2-2 draw, helping City advance. On April 19, 2009, he scored his second goal in a 4-2 win over West Brom. For his consistent performances, he was named Manchester City's Thomas Cook Player of the Month for both March and May. He concluded the season with thirty appearances and two goals.

In the 2009-10 season, Onuoha's first-team opportunities were limited due to injuries and increased competition. He made his first appearance on November 21, 2009, as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool. A groin injury then kept him out through December. He returned on January 24, 2010, in an FA Cup match against Scunthorpe United. On April 11, 2010, he played a significant role in a 5-1 win over Birmingham City, assisting a goal for Carlos Tevez and scoring one himself with a solo run. Despite his contributions, he often found himself on the substitute bench for the remainder of the season. He made seventeen appearances with two goals. Following the season, Onuoha openly criticized manager Roberto Mancini's decision-making.

3.1.3. Contract and departure

Onuoha signed a three-year contract with Manchester City in April 2005. His consistent performances earned him a new four-year contract in June 2007. On July 29, 2009, he agreed to a new five-year deal with the club.

After returning from his loan spell at Sunderland, Onuoha was linked with a permanent move away from Manchester City in the summer of 2011, as several Premier League clubs made bids for him, and the club informed him he should seek a new team. However, no acceptable bid was received, and he remained at Manchester City. Despite being excluded from the club's pre-season tour, he expressed his determination to fight for a first-team place in the 2011-12 season. Manager Mancini acknowledged Onuoha's status as a homegrown player but stated that playing opportunities would be limited. He made his first appearance of the season on September 19, 2011, starting in a 2-0 League Cup win over Birmingham City.

In January 2012, Queens Park Rangers made a bid for Onuoha, which Manchester City accepted. The agreement for his transfer was finalized on January 19, 2012. By the time of his departure, he had made three appearances for Manchester City in the 2011-12 season. The Manchester Evening News praised him as "a true professional."

3.3.1. Transfer and initial spell

On January 26, 2012, Onuoha signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Premier League side Queens Park Rangers, where he reunited with his former manager Mark Hughes. He made his QPR debut on February 2, 2012, playing the full game in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. For the remainder of the season, Onuoha quickly became a regular starter, deployed at either right-back or centre-back.

QPR found themselves in the relegation zone, and Onuoha played a crucial role in their fight for Premier League survival. On April 29, 2012, he assisted Djibril Cissé for a late consolation goal in a 6-1 defeat to local rivals Chelsea. Ahead of the final day of the season, with QPR needing at least a draw against his former club Manchester City or for Bolton Wanderers to not win, Onuoha expressed his desire for both Manchester City to win the Premier League title and QPR to avoid relegation. On May 13, 2012, QPR lost 3-2 to Manchester City, but Bolton's failure to win against Stoke City ensured QPR's Premier League safety, a scenario Onuoha had successfully predicted. He made fourteen appearances for QPR during the 2011-12 season.

3.3.2. Captaincy and key seasons

At the start of the 2012-13 season, Onuoha maintained his first-team position, alternating between right-back and centre-back. However, he spent time out of the squad due to compassionate leave following his mother's illness and passing, as well as his own injury. He returned on December 15, 2012, against local rivals Fulham, helping QPR secure their first league win of the season with a 2-1 victory. He then contributed to four clean sheets in January against Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, and Manchester City. Despite these efforts, Queens Park Rangers were relegated to the Championship on April 28, 2013, after a 0-0 draw against Reading. Onuoha made 26 appearances in all competitions and expressed his determination to fight for his place under manager Harry Redknapp. He also reflected on the challenging season in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.

Onuoha scored his first goal for QPR on August 3, 2013, in the opening fixture of the 2013-14 season against Sheffield Wednesday. He quickly regained his starting spot at centre-back and helped the team keep four clean sheets between August and mid-September. However, he suffered a hamstring injury on September 18, 2013, during a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, sidelining him for two months. He returned on November 9, 2013, as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 draw against Reading, but another hamstring injury soon followed. He made his return three weeks later on December 14, 2013, as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Blackpool. For the next two months, he was in and out of the first team, often on the bench, as Richard Dunne and Clint Hill were preferred. He eventually returned to the starting eleven permanently for the remainder of the season, despite further minor injuries. Onuoha scored again on April 12, 2014, in a 5-2 win over Nottingham Forest. In the Championship play-offs, he played in both legs against Wigan Athletic, which QPR won 2-1 on aggregate. He was a key member of the Queens Park Rangers side that won the 2014 Championship play-off final 1-0 against Derby County at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2014, securing promotion back to the Premier League. He made thirty-one appearances and scored two goals in all competitions during this season.

The 2014-15 season saw Onuoha initially out of the first team due to new summer signings. His first appearance came on August 24, 2014, as a second-half substitute in a 4-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. On October 5, 2014, he scored an own goal in a 2-0 loss against West Ham United. A hamstring injury against Liverpool on October 19, 2014, kept him out for several weeks, returning on November 22, 2014, in a 1-0 loss to Newcastle United. He continued to be in and out of the team throughout the season. On December 26, 2014, during a 2-1 loss against Arsenal, Onuoha was head-butted by Olivier Giroud, resulting in Giroud's sending off, though Onuoha continued playing. Another hamstring injury in February 2015 sidelined him for the month. He returned on March 4, 2015, against Arsenal, but a clash with teammate Steven Caulker led to his substitution at half-time in a 2-1 loss. On May 2, 2015, he was sent off for a second bookable offense in a 2-1 loss against Liverpool. In the subsequent match against Manchester City, QPR lost 6-0, confirming their second relegation to the Championship. Onuoha made twenty-five appearances in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2015-16 season, despite transfer speculation linking him with Premier League clubs, Onuoha remained at QPR. He was appointed club captain on July 13, 2015, succeeding Joey Barton. His first match as captain was the season opener, a 2-0 loss against Charlton Athletic. In the League Cup first round against Yeovil Town on August 11, 2015, he scored his first goal of the season, marking his 100th appearance for the club in a 3-0 win. On September 2, 2015, Onuoha signed a contract extension, keeping him at QPR until 2018. Fourteen days later, he scored his second goal of the season in a 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers. He consistently started, rotating between right-back and centre-back, while fulfilling his captaincy duties. Although his leadership faced criticism in October due to the team's poor goal record, manager Chris Ramsey gave him a vote of confidence, and the team's results improved. He helped the side keep three clean sheets between November 28 and December 12, 2015, and scored again on December 3, 2015, in a 1-0 win over Reading. Onuoha guided QPR to a 12th-place finish in their first season back in the Championship. He was an ever-present figure, making 48 appearances and scoring three goals in all competitions.

The 2016-17 season saw Onuoha continue as captain and a regular starter, primarily in central defence. He began the season strongly, scoring the opener and assisting the third goal in a 3-1 win over Leeds United on opening day. However, on August 20, 2016, he scored an own goal in a 2-0 loss against Preston North End. The following match, he scored his second goal of the season in a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic. On December 27, 2016, in a 3-0 loss against Brighton & Hove Albion, Onuoha was sent off for a professional foul. After serving a one-match suspension, he returned on January 2, 2017, assisting Paweł Wszołek's winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town. Despite interest from Sunderland, he remained at QPR. His performances and leadership were subject to criticism, but he silenced doubters by scoring his third goal of the season in a 5-1 win over Rotherham United on March 18, 2017. Although QPR's initial objective was promotion, they finished 18th. Onuoha, along with Grant Hall, was praised by new signing Joel Lynch for their defensive improvements. He made forty-seven appearances and scored three goals. During the season, he received the PFA Community Champion Award.

In the 2017-18 season, Onuoha retained his captaincy and starting position, primarily playing at centre-back. He made his 200th appearance for the club on September 9, 2017, in a 2-1 win over Ipswich Town. However, a hamstring injury against Millwall on September 12, 2017, sidelined him for three months. While he was injured, the club initiated talks for a new contract. He returned on December 9, 2017, in a 3-1 loss against Leeds United, quickly regaining his first-team place and captaincy. On April 7, 2018, in a 4-0 loss against Hull City, Onuoha was sent off in the final minute for a professional foul on Markus Henriksen, resulting in a three-match suspension. Despite missing seventeen matches due to injury and suspension, he contributed to QPR's 16th-place finish. On April 27, 2018, it was announced that Onuoha would leave the club at the end of the season, concluding his six-and-a-half-year tenure. He was honored with the Ray Jones Players' Player of the Year award, voted for by his teammates. He played 207 league matches and scored 7 goals for QPR.

3.4.1. MLS transfer and playing career

On September 14, 2018, Onuoha joined Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake. He explained his decision, stating he "always wanted to go and experience something a bit different."

He made his Real Salt Lake debut on September 30, 2018, as a late substitute in a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City. In his second appearance on October 18, 2018, he assisted Damir Kreilach for the team's fourth goal in a 4-1 win over New England Revolution. Initially on the substitute bench, Onuoha featured in three matches in the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, where Real Salt Lake lost 5-3 on aggregate to Sporting Kansas City. He made five appearances for the side in 2018.

In the 2019 season, Onuoha established himself as a regular starter in central defence. On April 29, 2019, during a 2-1 loss against LA Galaxy, he was involved in a notable on-field altercation with LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimović. Onuoha publicly accused Ibrahimović of foul play and threatening to injure him during the game, calling him "arrogant," "disrespectful," and "a complete thug." On July 4, 2019, he suffered a thigh injury in a 1-0 win over Columbus Crew, which sidelined him for a month. He returned on August 10, 2019, as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City. On September 26, 2019, he scored his first goal for Real Salt Lake in a 2-1 loss against LA Galaxy. Onuoha helped the team qualify for the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, but they were eliminated after a 2-0 loss to Seattle Sounders FC on October 24, 2019. He made thirty appearances and scored one goal in all competitions during the 2019 season. In the 2020 season, he made 15 appearances.

3.4.2. Retirement

Nedum Onuoha announced his retirement from professional football after the conclusion of Real Salt Lake's 2020 season.

4.1.1. Debut and major tournament participation

Having previously played for the England U20 team, making his debut on June 30, 2005, in a 2-0 victory over Russia, Onuoha became a consistent presence in the England U-21 side. He made his U-21 debut on October 12, 2005, in a 4-1 victory against Poland in a U-21 European Championship qualifier.

He was part of the squad that participated in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in the Netherlands. Onuoha started the tournament well, contributing to a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against the Czech Republic U21. He was a regular at centre-back throughout the tournament, partnering Steven Taylor. In the semi-final against the Netherlands, he had to leave the field due to injury, leaving England with ten men as all three permitted substitutions had been made. England ultimately lost 13-12 on penalties.

4.1.2. Racist abuse incident and U-21 European Championship

During the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Onuoha was subjected to racist abuse from Serbian fans. Despite the provocation, he maintained his composure and conduct, earning widespread praise for his dignified response. Following the match, he described the racial abuse he received as "horrific."

On September 7, 2007, three months after the tournament, Onuoha scored his first England U21 goal in a 3-0 win over Montenegro U21. He later captained the England U-21 team for the first time in a 0-0 draw with Poland U-21s on March 25, 2008. In the summer of 2009, he participated in the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, which marked his final appearances for the U-21 team. He played as a centre-back, helping England U21 keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Spain U21 on June 18, 2009. He scored in a 3-3 draw against Sweden in the semi-finals, helping England reach the final after a 5-4 penalty shootout victory. However, Onuoha started in defence for England in the 4-0 defeat to Germany U21 in the tournament final.