Mourning the death of a young Nigerian player

Southampton and Royal Antwerp have announced today the death, at the age of 21, of the Nigerian striker Victor Udoh, who passed through both clubs. Since October it belonged to Dynamo Ceske Budejovice and days ago he returned to his country to start his vacation.

According to several Belgian media, Udoh died in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. He had gone out with friends on Monday night and the newspaper Le Soir describes that his death occurred “under suspicious circumstances”, without the exact cause being known.

Udoh joined the Antwerp youth team in 2023 and made 27 appearances for the youth team, scoring 12 goals, before making his first-team debut in January 2024 and appearing in 28 games.

Udoh subsequently spent six months in the Southampton youth academy starting in February 2025 and played eight games with the under-21 team in Premier League 2. He did not make his debut with the first team in an official match.

After leaving Southampton in September, the Nigerian left winger signed for Ceske Budejovice, of the Czech second division, with whom he also did not debut.

“We are devastated by the tragic death of our former player Victor Udoh at the age of 21,” Southampton published it on its website. “Everyone at the club sends our condolences to Victor’s loved ones at this very difficult time.”

““It is with great sadness that RAFC has received the news of the passing of its former player Victor Udoh,” published the Royal Antwerp. “Our thoughts are with Victor’s family, friends and loved ones. “We wish you much strength, support and comfort in these very difficult times.”