Francis Uzoho is a Nigerian professional goalkeeper who plays for Omonia Nicosia in the Cypriot First Division and the Nigeria national team. He became the youngest foreign goalkeeper to make a La Liga appearance in 2017 and has represented Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup and multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Francis Uzoho Biography
| Fact | Details |
| Full name | Francis Odinaka Uzoho |
| Date of birth | 28 October 1998 |
| Age | 27 years (2026) |
| Place of birth | Nwangele, Imo State, Nigeria |
| State of origin | Imo State |
| Ethnicity | Igbo |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | Omonia Nicosia |
| League | Cypriot First Division |
| Contract expires | 31 May 2027 |
| Current market value | €300,000 |
| Highest market value | €1 million |
| Youth clubs | Campos Football Academy, Aspire Academy Senegal |
| Nigeria appearances | 37 |
| Major honours | Cypriot First Division, Cypriot Cup (2), AFCON runner-up, AFCON third place |
| National honour | Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) |
Early Life and Background
Francis Uzoho grew up in Nwangele, Imo State, where he developed an interest in football at a young age. He started at Campos Football Academy, playing as a forward before coaches moved him into goal because of his height and physical presence.
The position change proved decisive. He adapted quickly and developed into one of the academy’s standout young goalkeepers.
In 2013, Uzoho joined Aspire Academy in Senegal. His performances soon attracted European scouts. After impressing at a youth tournament in Barcelona in 2016, Deportivo La Coruña offered him a place in their academy.
Deportivo La Coruña Career
Uzoho joined Deportivo La Coruña in 2016. FIFA regulations delayed his professional registration until January 2017, when he became eligible to sign his first contract.
After signing, he trained with the first team while playing for Deportivo Fabril. He made his senior debut on 10 September 2017 in a 3–0 win over Real Madrid Castilla in the Segunda División B. Strong displays followed and opened the door to first-team football.
His La Liga debut came on 15 October 2017 against SD Eibar. The match ended goalless, but Uzoho entered the record books as the youngest foreign goalkeeper to debut in La Liga. He also became one of the youngest players to feature in Spain’s top flight during the 2017–18 season.
The achievement increased his profile in both Nigeria and Europe. Deportivo then extended his contract in August 2018 before sending him on loan to Elche for regular playing time.
Francis Uzoho Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
| 2013 | Joined Aspire Academy in Senegal |
| 2016 | Signed for Deportivo La Coruña |
| 2017 | Made his senior debut |
| 2017 | Made his La Liga and Super Eagles debut |
| 2018 | Played at the FIFA World Cup |
| 2018 | Joined Elche on loan |
| 2019 | Loan spells at Anorthosis Famagusta and Omonia Nicosia |
| 2020 | Signed for APOEL |
| 2021 | Returned to Omonia Nicosia |
| 2022 | Produced a standout display against Manchester United |
| 2023 | Named Nigerian Goalkeeper of the Year |
| 2025 | Won the Cypriot First Division |
Loan Spells at Elche and Anorthosis Famagusta
After extending Uzoho’s contract in August 2018, Deportivo La Coruña sent him to Elche on a season-long loan to gain regular first-team football in the Segunda División.
The move did not go as planned. He made seven league appearances and one Copa del Rey appearance before returning to Deportivo midway through the season. Limited playing time reduced his chances of becoming the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
In January 2019, Uzoho joined Anorthosis Famagusta in Cyprus on loan for the rest of the season. The move gave him another opportunity to play regularly before the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
His arrival attracted attention after questions emerged over the validity of the medical certificate used during his registration. Cypriot football authorities deducted points from Anorthosis, although Uzoho later won his appeal against a personal suspension and fine.
Omonia Loan and Serious Injury
Uzoho returned to Cyprus in July 2019 after joining Omonia Nicosia on another loan deal.
He settled quickly and competed for a starting place, but his season ended early after suffering a serious knee injury while playing for Nigeria in a friendly against Brazil.
The injury damaged knee ligaments and required surgery. It also ruled him out for several months and interrupted his progress at club level.
Although he played only a handful of matches, Omonia remained interested in bringing him back once he recovered.
APOEL Career
Uzoho completed a permanent move to APOEL in July 2020 after ending his time with Deportivo La Coruña.
He signed a three-year contract and made 25 appearances in all competitions during his first season. Despite becoming part of the first-team squad, he left the club in August 2021 after both sides agreed to end the contract.
His departure came before the summer transfer window closed, allowing him to return to familiar surroundings.
Omonia Nicosia Career
Uzoho rejoined Omonia Nicosia on 1 September 2021, this time on a permanent transfer. The club later rewarded him with a contract extension that runs until 31 May 2027.
Competition for the number one shirt remained strong, with Brazilian goalkeeper Fabiano often preferred in league matches. Even so, Uzoho continued to contribute in domestic cup competitions and European fixtures.
One of the defining moments of his club career came on 13 October 2022 during Omonia’s UEFA Europa League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Although Omonia lost 1–0, Uzoho produced one of the best performances of his career. He made 12 saves, frustrating Manchester United for most of the match before Scott McTominay scored the winner in stoppage time.
His display earned nominations for the UEFA Europa League Player of the Week and Save of the Day awards. The performance also attracted praise from football fans, former players and the British media.
In March 2023, Uzoho received another individual honour after winning the Nigeria Pitch Awards Goalkeeper of the Year.
He later helped Omonia win consecutive Cypriot Cups in 2022 and 2023 before adding the 2025–26 Cypriot First Division title to his list of honours.
Francis Uzoho Transfer History
| Season | From | To | Transfer |
| 2013 | Campos Football Academy | Aspire Academy | Free |
| 2016 | Aspire Academy | Deportivo La Coruña | Free |
| 2018 | Deportivo La Coruña | Elche | Loan |
| 2019 | Deportivo La Coruña | Anorthosis Famagusta | Loan |
| 2019 | Deportivo La Coruña | Omonia Nicosia | Loan |
| 2020 | Deportivo La Coruña | APOEL | Permanent (€250,000) |
| 2021 | APOEL | Omonia Nicosia | Free transfer |
Francis Uzoho Club Statistics
As of 11 March 2026
| Club | Appearances |
| Deportivo Fabril | 26 |
| Deportivo La Coruña | 2 |
| Elche | 8 |
| Anorthosis Famagusta | 3 |
| APOEL | 25 |
| Omonia Nicosia | 66 |
| Total | 132 |
Francis Uzoho Individual Honours
- Nigeria Pitch Awards Goalkeeper of the Year: 2023
Nigeria National Team Career
Uzoho represented Nigeria at youth level before earning his first senior call-up in October 2017. He made his international debut on 14 November 2017, replacing Daniel Akpeyi in a 4–2 friendly victory over Argentina.
The performance convinced the coaching staff to keep him in the squad ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Despite his age, he became Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper and started all three group-stage matches against Croatia, Iceland and Argentina.
In November 2018, injury forced him to withdraw from the national team before the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He recovered in time to make Nigeria’s squad for AFCON 2019 in Egypt.
Although Daniel Akpeyi started most matches during the tournament, Uzoho returned for the third-place play-off against Tunisia. Nigeria won the match to secure the bronze medal.
Another setback followed in October 2019. During an international friendly against Brazil, he suffered a serious knee ligament injury that required surgery and kept him out for several months.
After returning to fitness, Uzoho travelled with Nigeria to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Maduka Okoye started most matches, while Uzoho featured once and kept a clean sheet in the group-stage victory over Guinea-Bissau. Nigeria’s campaign ended in the round of 16.
In March 2022, Uzoho started the decisive 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Ghana. A long-range strike slipped through his hands, allowing Ghana to draw 1–1 in Abuja and qualify for the World Cup on away goals.
The mistake brought heavy criticism from supporters. Soon afterwards, Uzoho apologised to Nigerians and accepted responsibility for the result. Several current and former Super Eagles players, including Alex Iwobi and Vincent Enyeama, publicly supported him.
He regained his place during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, starting five of Nigeria’s six matches as the team finished top of its group.
By the time the tournament began in Ivory Coast, Stanley Nwabali had become Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper. Uzoho made one appearance after Nwabali suffered an injury against Cameroon in the round of 16.
In December 2025, head coach Éric Chelle included Uzoho in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. His selection reflected the experience he continued to bring to the national team despite increased competition for places.
As of 31 March 2026, Uzoho had made 37 appearances for Nigeria.
Francis Uzoho International Statistics
As of 31 March 2026
| Year | Appearances |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
| Total | 37 |
Francis Uzoho Wife and Children
Francis Uzoho is married to Soomie Uzoho.
The couple held their traditional wedding in December 2018 in Imo State when Uzoho was 20 years old.
He later explained that the decision came after prayer and discussions with family members. He said both families supported the marriage before they went ahead with the ceremony.
The couple have two children. Their first child was born in January 2020, while their second child arrived in June 2022.
Francis Uzoho Salary, Net Worth and Market Value
Francis Uzoho has never revealed how much he earns at Omonia Nicosia, and the club has not released his salary.
Several football websites estimate his net worth at $500,000 to $600,000 in 2026. The figure is based on career earnings rather than confirmed financial records. His income comes from club contracts, match bonuses and endorsement deals.
His current market value stands at €300,000. Earlier in his career, it peaked at €1 million after his breakthrough at Deportivo La Coruña in July 2018.
Francis Uzoho Honours
Omonia Nicosia
- Cypriot First Division: 2025–26
- Cypriot Cup: 2021–22
- Cypriot Cup: 2022–23
Nigeria
- Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2023
- Africa Cup of Nations third place: 2019
- Africa Cup of Nations third place: 2025
Individual
- Nigeria Pitch Awards Goalkeeper of the Year: 2023
National Honour
- Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)
FAQs on Francis Uzoho Biography
How old is Francis Uzoho?
Francis Uzoho is 27 years old. He was born on 28 October 1998.
Which club does Francis Uzoho play for?
He plays for Omonia Nicosia in the Cypriot First Division.
Where is Francis Uzoho from?
He is from Nwangele, Imo State, Nigeria.
How tall is Francis Uzoho?
He stands 1.96 metres (6 feet 5 inches) tall.
Is Francis Uzoho married?
Yes. He is married to Soomie Uzoho, and they have two children.
What is Francis Uzoho’s market value?
His current market value is €300,000, while his highest recorded market value was €1 million.
How many matches has Francis Uzoho played for Nigeria?
He has made 37 appearances for the Super Eagles as of 31 March 2026.
Which clubs has Francis Uzoho played for?
He has played for Deportivo La Coruña, Elche, Anorthosis Famagusta, APOEL and Omonia Nicosia.
What trophies has Francis Uzoho won?
He has won the Cypriot First Division, two Cypriot Cups, an AFCON runners-up medal, two AFCON bronze medals, and the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) national honour.
