“I am Igbo” – Super Eagles on alert as Dutch defender leaves Ajax and opens door to Nigeria

Former Ajax defender Precious Ugwu has spoken candidly about his international future, leaving the door open to a potential switch to Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.

Ugwu is a rising defensive talent who recently helped the Netherlands clinch the UEFA U19 Championship.

The 19-year-old centre-back, who was born in Germany to a Nigerian father and a Bosnian mother, currently represents the Netherlands at youth level but remains eligible for four countries — Germany, Nigeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Netherlands.

“I am now playing for the Netherlands but yeah, I can play for four countries so we’ll see later in the future for which one I’ll decide, but now I’m really happy here,” Ugwu said during a recent TikTok Q&A.

The teenager’s comments come at a time when Nigeria is ramping up efforts to recruit foreign-born talent.

Head coach Eric Chelle has been touring Europe in a bid to bolster the Super Eagles’ defensive options ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Malian tactician has already convinced Werder Bremen defender Felix Agu, who was eligible for Germany, to play for Nigeria.

Ugwu, who recently joined FC Volendam after over a decade at Ajax, played a vital role in the Netherlands’ recent U19 Euros triumph.

He featured in all five matches, anchoring a defence that kept three clean sheets and edged out Spain in the final.

️ | Precious Ugwu: ‘I had one year left on my deal at Ajax. We had talks with the club, but they didn't want to extend my contract, so I had to look at other options. At FC Volendam I can play in the Eredivisie, get playing time and gain experience.'

‘If there is a buy-back… pic.twitter.com/njoa95oe17

— Inside020 (@Inside_020) June 28, 2025

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Although he remains non-committal about his international future, Ugwu’s connection to Nigeria runs deep.

“My father before the time he was young, he knew a player, his name is Precious also as well and he really liked him a lot and so he decided to give that name to me and it’s really a nice name for me,” Ugwu revealed.

His cultural ties go beyond just names.

“As you know, my father is a Nigerian and like the Nigeria food is great like jollof rice, egusi soup, everything — plantain — it’s amazing food and I have a family there as well; I visit them a few times. I am really close to my roots and proud of it,” he added.

Despite moving away from Ajax, where he made 31 appearances for Jong Ajax and was named in the senior matchday squad three times, Ugwu leaves with glowing praise.

“Precious is a great defender who has played in our youth academy for a long time,” said Ajax’s Director of Football Marijn Beuker. “It’s a pity he wasn’t able to make the last step to the first team. We wish Precious all the best with his next step at FC Volendam.”

At FC Volendam, the teenager will look to continue his development in the Eredivisie, where regular first-team football may be the catalyst that helps him make a definitive choice on his international career.

“I visited Nigeria nine years ago, but I contact them on the phone always so it is nice. My best Nigerian food is jollof rice and meat or chicken, anything. I am Igbo, I can't speak really well but I understand a lot of things. I can say kedu, odinma, kedu afa gi? I also have a Nigerian name — Uchechukwu,” he said.

A centre-back by trade, the 1.92 m tall Ugwu is contracted to FC Volendam until June 2028.