Ex-Golden Eaglets player Udoh dies at 21

Former Nigeria national U-17 football team player Victor Udoh has tragically died at the age of 21, just days after opening his clothing brand store in Abuja, The PUNCH reports.

Udoh’s death was confirmed by his former clubs, Southampton F.C. and Royal Antwerp F.C., who both paid tribute to the player following multiple reports of his passing.

Udoh was reportedly found dead in his Abuja apartment on Tuesday morning after spending Monday night with friends. Although unconfirmed reports suggested food poisoning as a possible cause of death, authorities had yet to officially verify the circumstances surrounding his death as of the time of filing this report.

Our correspondent reached out to the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force in the FCT, Josephine Adeh, but she said she was not yet aware of the incident.

“I am not aware. Send the link, let’s see,” Adeh said when contacted by our correspondent.

Subsequent WhatsApp calls and messages sent to her phone were not replied to as of the time this report was filed.

Born on October 18, 2004, Udoh was part of the Golden Eaglets squad to the 2021 WAFU U-17 Championship in Togo, where Nigeria lost 3-2 to Ivory Coast national under-17 football team in the final.

He featured primarily as a left-back during the tournament before later transitioning into a forward after moving abroad.

In March 2023, the then-18-year-old moved from Abuja-based Hypebuzz F.C. to Royal Antwerp in Belgium.

“With great dismay, RAFC has learned of the passing of former player Victor Udoh (21),” Antwerp said in a statement posted on X on Tuesday.

“Victor arrived at the Bosuil in the 2023/2024 season, where in his first season with the Young Reds he managed to score 12 times in 21 matches.”

That season, he also made his official debut for the first team in the home match against Charleroi. In total, Victor made 28 official appearances for The Great Old and provided two assists before making the move to Southampton.”

His transfer to Southampton was announced on February 2, 2025, by football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Udoh spent six months in Southampton’s academy setup from February 2025, featuring in eight matches for their U-21 side in Premier League 2.

After leaving Southampton in September, the Nigerian winger joined Czech second-tier side SK Dynamo České Budějovice.

“We are devastated by the tragic passing of former player Victor Udoh at the age of 21,” Southampton posted on X.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club go out to Victor’s loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”

Udoh had reportedly been in Abuja for several months and was said to have recently reapplied for a visa to return to the Czech Republic.