Hyderabad FC signs ISL champion Bartholomew Ogbeche

Hyderabad FC has signed ISL’s third highest goalscorer Bartholomew Ogbeche to add experience to their attack ahead of the 2021-22 season of the Indian Super League (ISL). The club has announced this.

The 36-year-old Ogbeche, who won the ISL double of the League Winners’ Shield and the ISL Trophy with Mumbai City last season, has signed a one-year deal with Hyderabad FC till the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

After completing the formalities, Ogbeche said, “I am thrilled to sign with Hyderabad FC. One can easily see from outside that Manolo Marquez is clear about his style of play and what he wants from his players which is an admirable trait that I find in him. I am very excited to play under him.
The Nigeria-born striker has scored three goals in 11 appearances for the Super Eagles. Playing as number nine, Ogbeche made two appearances for Nigeria against Argentina and Sweden at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Starting his career with PSG in 2001–02 with a seven-year stint in France, Ogbeche has scored 21 goals in 57 appearances for the first team since graduating from the academy in 2001. He also previously played for Bastia and Metz in League One before being dropped out of Al Jazeera in the United Arab Emirates in 2005–06.

Hyderabad FC head coach Manolo Marquez feels Ogbeche’s experience will be a big factor for the team at the club. “Ogbeche is a player known to all football fans. He has played in top leagues in France, Spain and the Netherlands and even played in the FIFA World Cup with Nigeria. He will definitely be an important player for our club. Players like this are always necessary in a team. Ogbeche will be crucial on and off the pitch. If the team is young, their impact will be huge. He is the third top goalscorer in ISL history to have scored for NorthEast, Kerala and Mumbai. The striker is always a core part of a team and we are very happy to have Ogbeche with us. It is noteworthy that Ogbeche has become the third new player in Hyderabad FC this season after youngsters Aaren de Silva and Abdul Rabih.