Nigeria-eligible Chukwuemeka shares first words after joining Fufu-man in Dortmund

Nigeria-eligible midfielder, Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka, was elated after he joined German Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund, on a six-month loan deal from Chelsea, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 21-year-old talented midfielder has been on the fringes of the Chelsea first team this season, playing just 130 minutes of football, none of which came in the English Premier League.

Carney Chukwuemeka Joins BVB!

Borussia Dortmund have secured 21-year-old midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka on loan from Chelsea until summer 2025, with an option to make the move permanent. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/LrwmiTtgcm

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) February 3, 2025

In a bid to play more top-flight football, the Austrian-born player joined Dortmund on a loan deal, with the option to buy for €35 million included, as per Yahoo Sports.

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In moving to the Westfalen Stadion, Chukwuemeka joins another player with Nigerian roots, Karim Adeyemi. Nonetheless, the Chelsea man cannot wait to get going.

“Yes, I'm excited, grateful, blessed, and all of that. It feels a bit surreal. I’m just soaking everything in right now. It’s a massive club. They were in the Champions League final last season – I got to watch that. Some of my friends were on the pitch that day. It’s a surreal feeling to be sitting here now. I can’t wait to get started,” the former Aston Villa man said in an interview posted by Borussia Dortmund.

“It’s a chance for me to prove myself. I can’t thank the club enough for the trust they’ve shown in me by bringing me here. That was a big reason why I wanted to come, but like I said, looking at all the talented players who have developed here, it just feels like the right step for me right now. I want to showcase my talent on the continent and help the club succeed.”

Quizzed about the abilities he brings to the pitch and what the Schwarzgelben fans should expect from him, Chukwemeka said;

“I’m a player who loves to express himself on the pitch. I play without fear. I love to dribble, create plays, pass, and shoot. Every moment I’m on the field, I’ll give everything for this badge. I’m honestly just grateful to be here. So yeah, that’s what the fans can expect from me. I’ll give my all in every single game.”

Chukwuemeka was born in Eisenstadt, Austria, but moved to England when he was two years old and has featured for the Three Lions at Youth Level.

 

Continuing the tradition pic.twitter.com/wPr4TQrI7W

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) February 3, 2025

With Borussia Dortmund helping English talents get on their feet in recent years, the Chelsea loanee feels at home at the Signal Iduna Park, and the UEFA Champions League final last season seemed like a glimmer of hope for more things to come.

“Definitely the Champions League final last season. Seeing how far the team went, and of course, there’s a long list of English players who have really flourished here – Jude [Bellingham], Jadon [Sancho], Jamie [Gittens].

“This club has a history of developing talent, but overall, it’s just a massive club. Huge stadium. Amazing fans. A few years ago, I was on the bench when BVB played Chelsea in the Champions League. I still remember the sound in my ears, the Yellow Wall. The atmosphere was incredible,” the 1.88m tall midfielder concluded.

Chukwuemeka was a part of the Chelsea team that travelled to the Signal Iduna Park in 2023 when Karim Adeyemi scored a brilliant solo goal after beating Enzo Fernandez for pace and rounding the ball past Kepa Arizzabalaga.

 Adeyemi credited a locally made Nigerian dish, fufu, for his ability to run at lightning speed, and with Carney having Nigerian parents, it is, without doubt, the pair will bond over some conversations about their roots.