Southampton mourn 21-year-old former Nigerian winger Udoh

Southampton F.C. have paid tribute following the death of former Nigerian winger Victor Udoh, who passed away at the age of 21, BBC reported Tuesday.

Udoh spent six months with Southampton’s academy after arriving in February 2025, where he featured in eight Premier League 2 matches for the club’s Under-21 side and scored twice during his stint on the south coast.

Before moving to England, the Nigerian attacker developed through Royal Antwerp’s academy setup in Belgium.

He made 28 appearances for the club’s senior team after impressing for the “Young Reds,” where he netted 12 goals in 27 matches.

Following his departure from Southampton in September, Udoh moved to Czech second division side SK Dynamo České Budějovice.

Reacting to the news, Southampton said in a statement posted on X: “We are devastated by the tragic passing of former player Victor Udoh at the age of 21.

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

Royal Antwerp also expressed grief over the player’s passing.

“With great dismay, RAFC has learned of the passing of former player Victor Udoh,” the Belgian club said.

“Our thoughts are with Victor’s family, friends, and loved ones. We wish them much strength, support, and warmth during this particularly difficult time.”

Tosin Oyediran is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of professional experience in reporting and storytelling. He is known for conducting incisive interviews and producing compelling human-angle stories that bring clarity and depth to the news. Tosin covers a broad range of beats including politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment, with a strong focus on people-centred reporting. His work reflects firsthand newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to accurate, engaging, and trustworthy journalism.