For football fans familiar with Lesley Ugochukwu and his family, it’s well known that he is the nephew of former Nigerian defender Onyekachi Apam. Our goal is to share Lesley Ugochukwu’s untold story. Much like Alex Iwobi, who looked up to his uncle Jay Jay Okocha, Ugochukwu sought guidance from his uncle Onyekachi Apam during his early years to help navigate his football career.
Our article shares the life story of a boy who has always been taller and stronger than his peers since childhood. Due to his towering nature, Lesley Ugochukwu often faced teasing and accusations of lying about his age. Like Romelu Lukaku, who was also wrongly accused of falsifying his age to play against smaller and younger boys, Ugochukwu’s larger size was simply a natural trait. Both footballers never lied about their age during their childhood years; they were just naturally bigger than their peers.
This article about Lesley Ugochukwu delves into more than just his childhood; it explores his entire journey, revealing key events from his early interactions with football, and the unwavering support from his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ugochukwu. We examine his family background, Igbo heritage, Nigerian state of origin, and his siblings, including his brother Chibuike Ugochukwu and his uncle Onyekachi Apam. Additionally, we provide insights into his personal life and lifestyle. Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the heart of Lesley Ugochukwu’s story.
The Inspiring Journey of Lesley Ugochukwu: From Childhood to Football Stardom
Preamble:
To kick things off, we invite you to explore this comprehensive photo gallery that traces Lesley Ugochukwu’s journey—starting from his early years to his rise in football. Without a doubt, Ugochukwu has travelled a remarkable path in his footballing career, filled with inspiring moments and growth.
Lesley Ugochukwu’s Biography – His transformative journey from that humble boyhood beginnings to the pivotal moment that captivated Europe and beckoned Chelsea’s call. Image Credit: Instagram/l.ugochukwu8.
Have you noticed?… The French Ligue 1 is fast becoming a league where many young talents are unleashed. Before the Todd Boehly era, French clubs constantly supplied Chelsea FC with top talents. Back in the years, it was Eden Hazard, and now we have Lesley Ugochukwu.
Again, have you noticed?… Something always stands out when you observe him on the pitch. That striking thing is Ugochukwu’s physicality. Lesley can impose himself in a dominant manner against any opponent. The truth is, it doesn’t matter if his opponent is the best footballer of all time (like Lionel Messi). No wonder he is nicknamed “The New Marcel Desailly.”
In our many years of telling French Football Stories, we found a knowledge deficit. The truth is, not many fans have read Lesley Ugochukwu’s Biography, which is super exciting. So, without taking further of your time, let’s get started.
Lesley Ugochukwu Childhood Story:
For Biography starters, he bears the nicknames; “Chuks” or “Chukwu”. And his full names are Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu. The French footballer of Nigerian origin was born on the 26th day of March 2004 to Nigerian parents in Rennes, France.
Ugochukwu is one among other siblings – notably a little brother and a little sister. All of Lesley’s siblings were born into the marital union between his Dad and Mum. Now, let’s introduce you to Lesley Ugochukwu’s Parents.
Ugochukwu with his cherished parents: the foundation of his football journey. He owes much of his success on the field to his Dad and Mum, persons who consistently provided support, guidance, and unwavering belief in his football dreams. Credit: Instagram/l.ugochukwu8.
Growing-Up Years:
Research has it that Lesley Ugochukwu arrived in the world as his parents’ first child. He, who describes himself as a native of Rennes, spent his childhood years at Maurepas, situated in a district of the French city.
Lesley lived with his parents, his little sister and his little brother, whom we’ll tell you much about as we proceed with this Bio.
As a boy, people described Ugochukwu’s character as being very discreet and reserved (at least before his teenage years). More importantly, he was a thoughtful boy who was far from being a “big mouth.”
As a budding athlete, Lesley continually inspired his younger brother, Chibuike Ugochukwu, who admired him greatly.
Let’s introduce you to Chibuike Ugochukwu. He is Lesley Ugochukwu’s younger brother. Credit: Instagram/l.ugochukwu8.
Again, during his childhood, Ugochukwu was fond of imposing his first name on people. He preferred the name “Lesley,” which is of English origin, to his traditional middle name (Chimuanya).
Not a troublemaker, as we said earlier, he described himself as a happy boy who always gave off “Good vibes,” likes to make fun of things, and respects people a lot.
The French-born Nigerian feels very lucky to have grown up in Rennes, a city that has great surroundings which is friendly for football.
It wasn’t always easy for Lesley Ugochukwu’s Parents, but they never gave up. And above all, faith helped to keep the family of Nigerian origin surviving in France. In the words of the footballer;
We knew that there was always going to be a way to get up in the face of difficulties.
Today, I’m glad I am a professional footballer, and I’m still my parents’ son (smile).
Lesley Ugochukwu Early Life (Soccer):
The Defensive Midfielder began playing football at Maurepas, located in the district of the city of Rennes. It was Lesley Ugochukwu’s Father who introduced him to the sport after taking him to the stadium on several occasions.
In the stadium, both father and son developed a passion for watching both amateur and professional matches, including that of his uncle, Onyekachi Apam.
Aside from playing football as a kid, Lesley also tried basketball. He had the height for the sport as he was already tall from an early age.
Although Ugochukwu saw playing basketball as interesting, the passion he shared with football was even stronger. Following his Dad and Uncle’s advice, he agreed to take up the option of starting a football career.
As early as the age of six, young Lesley Ugochukwu registered with his first-ever club. This soccer academy is the ASPTT in Rennes, near Maurepas (where he spent the bulk of his early childhood years).
As we progress with Chuks’ Bio, we’ll tell you the most notable moments in his early career, including his wonderful early experience in a Reenes shirt.
Lesley Ugochukwu Family Background:
Like many Nigerian families living in France, the Ugochukwus have successfully pursued great career opportunities. One such career is seeing their sons becoming professional footballers, a sport that didn’t start with Lesley.
For Lesley, apart from having a nephew who is a renowned Nigerian professional footballer (Onyekachi Apam), his Dad also played football to an extent. Speaking about his Dad’s career, the midfielder once said in an interview;
My father didn’t play at a high level, but he remains a football fanatic. When I visited Nigeria, I heard a lot about him in terms of his football career.
In fact, Relatives and family friends in Nigeria enlightened Lesley Ugochukwu about his father’s illustrious career from years past.
They reminisced about his father’s exceptional skills as a central defender and how he was the football pride of their community.
Lesley Ugochukwu’s family lived a middle-class life in Maurepa, the district in the city of Rennes, where he grew up.
Thankfully, both his Dad and Mum were educated, and they were able to find good jobs to sustain their three children. Now, let’s go into detail about the occupation of Lesley Ugochukwu’s Parents.
First, it will interest you to know that the Athlete’s Mum and Dad both did the same job. Research has it that Lesley Ugochukwu’s parents both worked for the Paprec Group recycling company.
Founded by Jean-Luc Petithuguenin in 1995, this company (Paprec Group) provides recycling and waste management services in France.
Lesley Ugochukwu Family Origin:
Judging by the fact that his birthplace is Rennes, France, and his parents have Nigerian roots, it is ideal to say that the Soccer Athlete has two nationalities.
In simple terms, Lesley Ugochukwu is of Nigerian descent, meaning he is a citizen of both Nigeria and France. The same goes for Michael Olise, who is both French and Nigerian (also a British citizen).
Regarding the part of France Lesley Ugochukwu’s family comes from, our research points to Maurepas, a district of the city of Rennes.
And regarding his African origins, the Defensive Midfielder hails from the southeastern part of Nigeria. Now, here is a map that’ll help you understand Ugochukwu’s roots.
A map gallery showing Lesley Ugochukwu’s Family Origins and Heritage. We traces his roots to Abia State, the southeastern region of Nigeria and the district of Maurepas in Rennes, France. Image: GoogleMaps, IG/l.ugochukwu8.
What is Lesley Ugochukwu’s Ethnicity:
Lesley’s surname, “Ugochukwu,” is from the Nigerian Igbo origin. The Igbo people, as they are fondly called, are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria. This ethnic group has a rich history, sets of traditions and culture.
Do you know?… Lesley’s surname of Igbo origin is divided into two parts: “Ugo,” which means “eagle,” and “Chukwu,” which means “God”. So the meaning of Ugochukwu is “Eagle of God” or “God’s eagle”.
What is Lesley Ugochukwu’s State of Origin:
Results from research shows that the family of the Defensive midfielder is from Abia, a state in the southeast of Nigeria. Lesley Ugochukwu identifies Aba as the city that connects his ancestry.
This city (Aba) is known for its commercial activities and rich cultural heritage. Let’s not forget that Aba is the birthplace of Lesley Ugochukwu’s nephew, Onyekachi Apam. Also, the Nigerian footballer Kalu Uche and his younger brother, Ikechukwu Uche.
Lesley Ugochukwu Education:
The French professional footballer attended Moulin-du-Comte school. Lesley is a product of a public elementary school in Rennes.
From the onset, the Ugochukwu family, including himself, had agreed that starting school in kindergarten and not getting a diploma would appear like a shame.
So, in terms of academics, it is important to state that Chucks, an Athlete of Nigerian descent, attended school up to the desired level.
For Lesley Ugochukwu’s Parents, having a diploma was the least they required from him. Thankfully, he passed and obtained his STMG baccalauréat like many other French footballers – the likes of Hugo Ekitike (CF), Issa Diop and Jules Kounde.
Having a diploma wasn’t only an important thing for Ugochukwu’s Dad and Mum. It was one of the requirements of his club, Rennes, who wanted all their footballer to have that school certificate.
Lesley, like Mike Maignan, wanted to finalize the education stage before fully concentrating on football. Speaking about his character at school, Lesley once said;
I was a hard-working student who liked to laugh a lot. but I rarely got caught. I was pretty smart (smile).
Aside from reflecting on the good times of his schooling days, Lesley is someone who doesn’t forget to visit the school that impacted a great deal of knowledge in him.
Here, the Baller is pictured in the courtyard of the Moulin-du-Comte school, which used to be his playground when he was younger.
Lesley revisits memories at Moulin-du-Comte school, standing in the courtyard that once echoed with his youthful laughter.
The behaviour at school:
At his school in Moulin-du-Comte, Ugochukwu once revealed that he used to clown around but did so discreetly.
It was also revealed that Lesley was part of a class of students, some of whom were very difficult to manage. During an academic section, they once pushed their French teacher to the limits. Here are his words;
At school, We talked a lot and laughed a lot.
So One day, the teacher came into class and saw the mess.
It was too much for him to handle. he didn’t even try to understand, he took his things and left.
The French teacher, out of his frustration with the students, reported the issue to the school’s headmaster. In no time, words also got out to Rennes (Lesley’s club). Since then, the whole class became glued, and that resulted from the punishment they received.
It didn’t end there, as Rennes sanctioned Lesley and his classmates because of their behaviour at school. The club and the educators insisted that Lesley and his classmates remain serious and disciplined.
Career Buildup:
How did football come to Lesley Ugochukwu?… It all began through the early efforts of his Dad, who always took him to the stadiums to watch both amateur and professional matches.
Because Lesley’s Dad was a footballer himself (at the amateur level), it became easy for both father and son to share the passion for the round leather.
Truth be told, finding love for basketball, all thanks to his height, did not take away Ugochukwu’s decision to commit his future to professional football.
Even though basketball was an interesting sport, Lesley agreed to go with the passion he shared with his Dad. Despite being educated, he only wanted to play football professionally. Now, let’s dive properly into his career.
Lesley Ugochukwu Biography – Football Story:
At the age of six, the youngster (so filled with a passion for soccer) began his career journey with ASPTT Rennes near Maurepas.
Ugochukwu participated in sets of small football matches, and he was noticed as being knowledgeable in playing in all positions.
Although it was fun to play with his friends at ASPTT Rennes, Lesley had great ambitions and was eager to move on to the next level. After graduating from ASPTT Rennes, Ugochukwu enrolled at the CPB Nord-Ouest, where he played football for a year.
How Rennes found Ugochukwu:
It all happened on a beautiful day during an indoor football tournament. A football scout from Stade Rennais spotted Lesley while he was in action with the ball. The recruiter was not only captivated by his impressive height and Lesley’s versatility on the field.
Next came the invitation for a football trial, which Lesley passed. Following that, the youngster got enrolled at Stade Rennais and started his journey with the Under-9 team.
Lesley wasn’t very tall when he joined Rennes. He was initially placed in the position of Central Defender before he revealed his natural self as a true number 8.
Lesley got the number 8 shirt after proving himself and showing he had the ability to score goals while controlling the midfield.
From a Central Defender at Rennes to a standout number 8, Lesley’s evolution showcased his knack for midfield control and goal-scoring prowess.
While at Rennes Academy, young Lesley got support even during non-football or training hours. He was guided by Mathieu Le Scornet during his pre-training activities. Aside from this support, young Lesley also enjoyed proximity advantages.
Now, let’s tell you about that. While other young academy students at Rennes were full boarders, he was a half-boarder. This is because his family lives right next to Roazhon Park, the football stadium of Rennes.
Young Lesley at Rennes Academy. At this time, he benefited from Mathieu Le Scornet’s guidance in pre-training and enjoyed the unique advantage of family proximity to Roazhon Park.
Lesley Ugochukwu Bio – Road to Fame Story:
Starting from the academy, the defensive midfielder’s steady rise from the junior ranks didn’t come without challenges.
In fact, Ugochukwu began experiencing a different type of issue at the time he began experiencing a gigantic growth in his height and strength.
Approaching his early teenage years, he, who looked like a giant, was seen as way too powerful for his opponents, even those who were the same age as him.
Now, let’s tell you a moment when Lesley Ugochukwu got teased. It happened at a tournament in Nantes when he played for Rennes under-12s.
During a match, Lesley got embarrassed by the words of some fans who accused him of falsifying his age to play in the team. In that match, Ugochukwu could hear people saying;
Oh that him, he is not 12 years old!
They wrongly accused him of falsifying his age simply because Lesley Ugochukwu had the height of a giant.
In addition to being taller, the boy was way better than his opponents – all of whom were also between the actual ages of 11 and 12.
Similar to Romelu Lukaku and Gianluca Scamacca in their youthful days, young Lesley was taught how to deal with such intimidation. Speaking about it, the Midfielder once said;
At this time, a tall Ugochukwu stood out among peers aged 11-12 and learned early how to navigate intimidation.
When you hear that, it’s embarrassing because you know you’re 12.
The truth is, there were things that could intimidate a young boy.
It was better to laugh about it and not to be hurt by those thoughts from people.
There will always be people who will talk and say such things as; “He’s not 18, he’s too tall”.
Did you realize just how towering Lesley Ugochukwu was back then? Shockingly, many of his teammates stood only up to his shoulders.
The photo below captures the scene perfectly: a jubilant Ugochukwu celebrating a goal, clearly towering over his surrounding teammate.
Capturing the Control Tower’s distinctive height during that era. A very tall-looking Lesley is pictured celebrating a goal, standing head and shoulders above his teammate.
The competition for his position:
Everything continued to go well for the Control Tower at Rennes Academy. Chuks had the chance to meet very good football educators. We talk about coaches who were excellent both on the human and football levels.
Aside from being a goal-scoring midfielder, Lesley was also excellent in terms of his ball touch and technique.
Despite that, Rennes wanted more. The French club decided to bring in new names to challenge him at his position.
As each season passed (during his youth career years), it became more serious for Ugochukwu. It even became a big battle when his club, Rennes invited players from the outside to challenge him in his position.
At that time, serious internships were organized to recruit players in his position. Speaking about the challenge Rennes made to him, Ugochukwu once reacted in his words;
After a while, I said to myself: “Lesley, it’s now that you have to give everything, you shouldn’t have excuses or ask questions”.
Lesley Ugochukwu Biography – Rise to Fame:
One of his greatest career milestones was the signing of his first professional contract, which happened when he was at the age of 16 years, 3 months and 4 days old.
By doing that, in front of his parents and brother, Lesley got a rare honour. He became the second youngest player in Stade Rennais’ history to sign a pro contract, behind Camavinga.
Having won the earlier competition that came his way, the youngster began to have the feeling of playing with the professionals at an earlier date.
On a beautiful day, when Eduardo Camavinga and Steven Nzonzi were absent from the team, Rennes coach Bruno Génésio placed his name among the starters.
Young Leslsy had just turned 17 at that time, and he was shocked at the coach’s decision, thinking it was a mistake.
His teammates, Hamari Traoré and Benjamin Bourigeaud, were the first to boost his confidence. One of them quickly came to him, saying;
“Chuks, It’s going to be fine, just play as you know how to do”
The truth is, those words gave Lesley the confidence to prepare for the game. During the night before his first senior match against Mauricio Pochettino‘s PSG team, Ugochukwu had a hard time sleeping.
All the defensive midfielder thought of was how to find the confidence to face an almighty Neymar.
Since he was little, Lesley had always watched Neymar‘s skills on YouTube. On the day he faced PSG, he found himself under zero pressure. All Lesley wanted to do was to show his qualities, and he did just that.
Before the game, the youngster thought about asking for a shirt from a PSG player. Lesley then had a second thought about it, as he believed his first shirt was special. He remarked;
Then, I said to myself: “No, I don’t have a name on my back, it’s better to keep the my first senior shirt preciously in memory”.
Learning from Camavinga and Rising to Fame:
The French central midfielder Midfielder, who later joined Real Madrid, became an example for Lesley to follow. Way before Camavinga became Rennais’ hottest teenager, the club had Ousmane Dembelé.
Both players were sources of inspiration for other younger players, and their journey motivated Lesley, who had always wanted to surpass himself.
As a professional, Lesley found that the competition was tough in his Stade Rennais senior team. This was a team that had boasted of the likes of Nayef Aguerd and Jeremy Doku.
In that 2021/2022 season, his club took fourth in Ligue 1. Following that success, Real Madrid came quickly to initiate a transfer for Rennes’ top talent, Eduardo Camavinga.
Camavinga’s departure paved the way for Lesley Ugochukwu to shine in Rennes’ first team. His performance gave rise to his call at the France Under-19 selection.
With his fighting spirit, positive attitude and discipline, Ugochukwu found himself having all the tools to match talents like Tottenham’s Dele Alli (when the English man was at his peak).
After an impressive 2022/2023 season, the French footballer, like his fellow Ligue 1 brother, Terem Moffi (who moved on to join OGC Nice), caught the attention of clubs who wanted his signature.
At that time, it became obvious that Ugo would get transferred to a top club after synergy with Djed Spence and Joe Rodon propelled Stade Rennais to a commendable fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 (surpassing Monaco and Lyon).
Come the 2023/2024 summer transfer window, Ugochukwu took a monumental step in his career, sealing a seven-year deal with Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea (club statement).
He lined up alongside notable new recruits like Deivid Washington (CF), Angelo Gabriel, Italy’s Cesare Casadei, Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Axel Disasi, marking an exhilarating summer for the Blues. The rest, as we say, is now history.
Love Life:
With the recent heights in his professional career, it is only normal to see fans ask this pertinent question about the footballer.
Who is Ugochukwu’s Girlfriend?
Truth be told, Lesley Ugochukwu is talk, dark and handsome. He is worthy to be on the wish list of many female football fans who aspire to take the position of his girlfriend, wife, or the mother of his children.
In an interview, when asked about how he resists temptations, including that from girls, Lesley’s reply was quick. He revealed;
From the moment you decide to be a professional, that you understand that football is your job. You are obliged to behave well and you know there is a time for everything.
A football career can last until you are 40 (at the most). After that, you have plenty of time to enjoy.
By his words, it appears Lesley isn’t keen on settling down very early like Ismaila Sarr and Philippe Coutinho had done. At the time of writing, his social media handles do not reveal signs of him having a girlfriend or keeping public relationships.
Personal Life:
Who is Lesley Ugochukwu?
If you’re opportune to know him and want to introduce him to another person, you’re most likely to say the following. Chuks has a serious personality, and at the same time, he is very respectful towards people.
On the other side, Ugochukwu likes to talk a lot. He once confessed that his former Rennes teammate and good friend, Hamari Traoré, sometimes tells him (kindly … with a smile) that he is a “little jerk”.
This is simply because Lesley loves to joke around. Above all, Lesley Ugochukwu is very religious – thanks to proper upbringing by his parents.
Starting from his time at the Rennes locker room, fellow footballers and friends call him “Chuks” or “Chukwu”. Lesley Ugochukwu’s parents are the only persons who call him by his Nigerian traditional name, Chimuanya. Outside his family home, he prefers his first English name, Lesley.
Lesley is someone who is discreet, reserved, thoughtful and still has big dreams.
Since childhood, his greatest football dream has been to find himself playing in a European competition every season. And most importantly, winning a World Cup with his birth country, France.
Lesley Ugochukwu Lifestyle:
Now, let me tell you what he does besides football. First, Lesley dances a lot, even in the locker room. He loves dancing very much and making others like Romeo Lavia and Moise Caiceido, etc., enjoy his company more with lots of laughs.
Lesley Ugochukwu’s Relatives are often the ones who have experienced him dance the most, he once revealed. In the words of the footballer;
frankly, I think I dance well, my relatives can tell you about it (smile). Otherwise, I spend time on the play, I play with Arnaud Kalimuendo, Jérémy Doku and Christopher Wooh.
The other of Lesley Ugochukwu’s hobbies:
Truth be told, If he hadn’t been a footballer, he would have used his height effectively in basketball.
Overall, Chuks loves sports, and he (during childhood) once fancied himself becoming a basketballer. As a great fan of the sport, Chuks adores Giannis Antetokoúnmpo as his role model.
Away from playing basketball and dancing, Lesley often creates time to unwind. As per vacation choice, it appears Ugochukwu is a fan of having boat rides at his favourite water Europe destinations.
Just before joining Mauricio Pochetinno’s Chelsea team, the footballer enjoyed what he termed a great summer vibe.
On this day, Ugochukwu took a serene boat ride in Europe, soaking in the summer vibes before joining Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea squad.
Lesley Ugochukwu’s Car?
Making approximately £2,604,000 a year (as of 2023) is surely more than enough to get him the automobile of his dreams.
At the time of writing this Bio, Chuks remains discrete as to keeping fans abreast of the car he drives.
Sometime in 2023, he was spotted close to a modest car, which looked like a Mini Cooper. If he genuinely owns a Mini Cooper, then it speaks about his personal humility as found in persons like Ngolo Kante. A Mini Cooper might just be practical and suit the Baller’s style.
Spotted near a Mini Cooper in 2023, his choice of car echoes the humble choices of players like N’Golo Kanté, showcasing practicality and understated style.
Lesley Ugochukwu Family Life:
The French-born footballer with Nigerian roots, Chuks, owes his success not just to his football prowess but to the unwavering support system he’s had at home since childhood. Now, let’s tell you more about Lesley Ugochukwu’s Parents. Also, the rest of his family members – brother, uncle, etc.
Lesley Ugochukwu Father:
One thing we haven’t mentioned about Mr Ugochukwu is the fact that he (a football fanatic) enjoys a close relationship with other Nigerian footballers.
Chiefly among them is Moses Simon. As noticed here, Lesley’s Dad had a fruitful meeting with the Nigerian winger after one of his Nantes games.
Mr. Ugochukwu, a passionate football enthusiast, shares a moment with Nigerian winger, Moses Simon, after a Nantes match — showcasing their close camaraderie.
Maurepas, the part of Rennes where the proud Dad raised his children, had several football projects. Ugochukwu’s Dad agreed to live there but later agreed to relocate by moving his family to their new home near Roahzon Park. The whole family had lived there since their breadwinner (Lesley) was nine until recently when they moved to Saint-Grégoire.
By always taking him to the stadium to watch matches as a kid, it clearly shows that Leeslry Ugochukwu’s Dad is a man of foresight. Despite not playing at the highest level, the proud Dad of three has developed a way to relive his dreams – all thanks to his footballing sons.
Lesley Ugochukwu’s Mother:
The Athlete describes his Mum as someone who is very composed and yet afraid. She is perhaps like Carole White and Lisa, Ben White‘s and Ivan Toney‘s mum, who can’t stand her son being injured or badly tackled on the field.
Lesley’s Mum, together with her husband, raised a tight-knit family who always helped each other with middle-class jobs at the Paprec company. She takes care of everything at home, and she advises her children a lot. Lesley is lucky to have her because he can confide in her.
Lesley Ugochukwu Siblings:
The French professional footballer is the most senior child in his family. Ugochukwu has two younger siblings: a sister, whom very little is known about and a brother. Now, let’s tell you more about Chibuike, the second son in the family.
Lesley Ugochukwu’s Brother:
Chibuike was born at La Clinical De La Sagesse, not far from the Rennes training centre. La Clinical De La Sagesse is a famous General hospital in Rennes, France.
Following in the footsteps of his uncle, Onyekachi Apam, his brother and Dad, Chibuike accepted to become a professional footballer. Lesley’s brother plays the central defender position at Rennes’ academy (at the time of writing).
About Lesley Ugochukwu Relatives:
Onyekachi Apam is of Igbo descent, and he was born on the 30th day of December 1986 in Aba, Nigeria.
He, who is Lesley Ugochukwu’s uncle, became famous for representing Nigeria at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where the Big Baller won the silver medal.
Meet Onyekachi Apam. He is Lesley Ugochukwu’s Uncle.
Here are a few notes about Apam that you might not know about. On the 31st day of December 2007, a day after his 21st birthday, Lesley’s uncle’s car was stolen.
Upon noticing a popular footballer was the car’s owner, the criminals kidnapped him that day. Fortunately, Ugochukwu’s uncle was released 48 hours after he was kidnapped.
Untold Facts:
In the final section of Lesley Ugochukwu’s Bio, we’ll unveil truths you might not know about him. Without further ado, let’s begin.
Lesley Ugochukwu FIFA:
Just to tell you how good he was at the age of 18, it might interest you to know that Lesley’s exceptional skills were evident. Ugochukwu is like a younger Mario Lemina, who has huge prospects as a defensive midfielder.
At 18, he lacked nothing below average in his mentality, power and defending, a sign that he showcased potential to rival greats like Wilfred Ndidi and Yaya Toure.
Having a 71 overall and 82 potential rating isn’t bad for an 18-year-old. At that age, Lesley’s prowess hinted at a future echoing the likes of Wilfred Ndidi and Yaya Toure.
Lesley Ugochukwu Salary:
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the French athlete, Lesley, secured a Chelsea contract with an estimated weekly wage of £50,000.
This places him at half of what Carney Chukwuemeka, another Chelsea player of Nigerian Igbo descent, reportedly earns at £100k weekly.
While fellow French footballer Benoit Badiashile takes home £90k every week, Wesley Fofana leads with a staggering £200k.
Breaking down Lesley’s estimated weekly wage of £50,000, we have the following. It will interest you to know that Lelsey earns more than 2.5 Billion naira yearly at Chelsea (₦2,517,282,028).
How rich is the footballer of Nigerian Igbo descent?
In the ancestral country of Lesley Ugochukwu’s Parents, the average Nigerian graduate earns approximately ₦150,000 naira monthly and ₦1,800,000 yearly.
Do you know?… such a person would need 26.8 years to earn Ugochukwu’s weekly wage of £50,000 (equivalent to ₦48,334,908).
Lesley Ugochukwu’s Religion:
The French professional footballer who is of Nigerian descent is a devoted Christian. Outside of football, Ugochukwu believes he can’t change how he serves God, no matter who he becomes tomorrow. He revealed;
I want to stay the same and improve my relationship with the Lord.
Lesley revealed that he drew closer to God when he didn’t play football for almost a year, no thanks to an injury. It happened at the tail end of his youth career.
That was his first big injury in my entire career. At first, Lesley thought the injury was going to last for two weeks. Suddenly, his recovery became very slow. That development made him seek Doctors’ advice if he needed an operation. Ugochukwu’s faith in Christ and the support from his family helped his recovery. In his words,
I am very religious, I knew I was going to get up despite the difficulties.
Ugochukwu’s Role Model:
Yes, Chuks has several footballers he looks up to, and two of those persons are Paul Pogba and Patrick Vieira. Ugochukwu sees his football profile as similar to that of the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.
Endnote:
French professional footballer Lesley was raised by his parents at Maurepas, the district of the French city of Rennes. He grew up together with his little brother Chibuike Ugochukwu and a sister who is also junior to him.
Regarding Lesley Ugochukwu’s origin, research has it that he is from southeastern Nigeria, precisely, Abia state. He joins the likes of footballers, notably Noah Okafor, Manuel Akanji (CB), Kevin Schade (RW), Luca Koleosho (LW), Chukwubuike Adamu, etc., who were born abroad but have Nigerian origins.
As a little boy, young Lesley was fortunate to have a Dad who always brought him to the stadium.
Both father and son became fond of football, a shared passion that would later uplift the Ugochukwu family.
Also, soccer was the ideal thing; Ugochukwu (who only wanted to become a pro) also tried basketball.
Ugochukwu, who is the firstborn of his parents, grew up having an imposing size for body structure. The good 88-meter control tower began his football career with ASPTT Rennes. After progressing with CPB Nord-Ouest, he joined Rennes at the age of 8.
Thanks to Lesley Ugochukwu’s family living right next to Roazhon Park, which is where the club is located, he enjoyed being a half-boarder.
The Roazhon boy had a successful time at Rennes Academy, even though he was held back for almost a year by an ankle injury.
By becoming a professional at 16 years, three months and four days, Lesley achieved a rare record of being Rennes’ second-youngest player in history after Camavinga.
Lesley turned into a fast-rising pro with an athletic and box-to-box profile. He became the kind of player who could bring offensive attributes to the game, and also had the ability to come back to defend. This feat earned him a deserving transfer to Chelsea in the 2023 summer transfer window.
Appreciation Note:
Thank you for taking the time to read our version of Lesley Ugochukwu’s Biography.
We care about accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver the football stories of foreign players of Nigerian descent. Without a doubt, the Life History of Noah Okafor and Junior Adamu will excite you.
Kindly let us know (via comment) if you find anything that doesn’t look right in our article on Lesley Ugochukwu’s Bio.
Also, tell us what you think about the Baller who desperately needs regular football at this stage of his development (revealed by thechelseachronicle).
