Edward Ofere

Edward Ofere

Ofere playing for Malmö FF in 2009.
Personal information
Full name Edward Ofere
Date of birth (1986-03-28) 28 March 1986
Place of birth Lagos, Nigeria
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position Striker
Youth career
1998–2003 Enugu Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Enugu Rangers 77 (18)
2005–2010 Malmö FF 85 (24)
2010–2012 Lecce 18 (3)
2013–2014 Trelleborgs FF 11 (8)
2014 FC Vestsjælland 7 (2)
2014–2015 Sogndal 8 (0)
2015 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 10 (5)
2015 Boluspor 8 (0)
2016 Dundee United 13 (3)
National team
2009 Nigeria 3 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 May 2016.


Edward Ofere (born 28 March 1986) is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a striker and is currently without a club after leaving Scottish club Dundee United in May 2016. His previous clubs are Enugu Rangers in Nigeria, Malmö FF and Trelleborgs FF in Sweden, Lecce in Italy, FC Vestsjælland in Denmark, Sogndal in Norway, Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Scotland and Boluspor in Turkey. He made three appearances for the Nigeria national team in 2009.

Club career

Malmö FF

Born in Lagos, Ofere came to Malmö FF on loan in August 2005 from Nigerian side Enugu Rangers.[1] On 21 October 2005, Ofere signed for the club permanently on a three-year contract.[2]

Ofere scored on his debut on 17 April 2006, in a 2–1 loss against Hammarby.[3] In his first season at Malmö FF, Ofere scored once in four appearance. From 2006 to 2008, Ofere struggled for first team football and scoring goals. That is until Manager Roland Nilsson came along. Under Nilsson, Ofere started scoring goals regularly and ended the season with nine goals in 21 appearances. At the end of the 2008 season, Ofere signed a two-year contract with the club.[4]

After Ola Toivonen left the club, Ofere's scoring confidence have increased, scoring ten goals in 28 appearances and was the club's top-scorer this season with fifteen goals in all competitions. During the season, Ofere scored seven goals in four games, which he scored twice in three games against Djurgårdens,[5] Elfsborg[6] and Gefle.[7] Ofere went to score against Hammarby three days later.[8] Ofere scored another brace in a 5–4 loss against Kalmar.[9] His scoring confidence would lead Championship side Newcastle United keen to sign him, although the move was denied by Malmö FF.[10]

The 2010 season proved be unsuccessful for Ofere after he only scored two goals against Kalmar[11] and Häcken[12] in seven appearance because of the knee injury he sustained during a match against Helsingborgs[13] and a red card in a 2–0 loss against AIK on 17 July 2010.[14] Once again, Ofere's interest was re–ignited once more, as he was linked with a move to Middle East.[15] Ofere rejected a move to China, citing playing in Europe.[16]

During his time at Malmö FF, Ofere was the club's fan favourite that the club dedicated a song about him, starting with: "Ofere, ooo-oh, Ofere, ooo-oh! He came from the African country, he set our hearts on fire."[17]

U.S. Lecce

On 30 August 2010, he was signed by Lecce on a three-year contract.[18] Upon moving to Leece, Ofere felt the move was the important step of his career.[19]

His debut was delayed after suffering an injury; Ofere made his Leece debut, coming on as a substitute for Jeda, in a 1–1 draw against Parma on 22 September 2010.[20] Ofere then scored his first Serie A goal on 25 October 2010, in a 2–1 win over Brescia.[21] Ofere then scored two goals in two games against Genoa on 5 December 2010[22] and Chievo Verona.[23] However, Ofere injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a match against Lazio.[24] After an operation, it was announced that Ofere would be out for four months.[25]

In the 2011–12 season, Ofere started signs of recovery on his right knee, possibly making his return.[26] Ofere made his return in the opening game of the season, in a 2–0 loss against Udinese.[27] However, Ofere struggled to first team and appeared on the substitute bench. To make it worse, Ofere injured his right knee and needed an operation that caused him to miss out throughout the season.[28] Ofere made his return on 5 May 2012 against Fiorentina, where he came on as a substitute for Andrea Bertolacci in the 76th minutes.[29] Though the club was relegated to Serie B, Ofere made seven appearance for the club.

Following Leece relegation to Serie B, Ofere was among those listed by the newspaper that could leave the club.[30] It was announced on 25 September 2012, after playing very little football for the first few weeks of the 2012–13 season, that his contract was mutually terminated a year early.[31]

Trelleborgs

After being released by Leece, Ofere moved back to Sweden by joining Division 1 Södra side Trelleborgs FF until the end of the season.[32]

Ofere made his Trelleborgs debut on 18 August 2013, providing an assist for Zoran Jovanović, in a 1–0 win over Trollhättan.[33] Ofere scored his first goals in the next game, in a 4–2 loss against IF Sylvia.[34] Ofere added more goals against Lunds BK,[35] Husqvarna[36] and Krist.FF.[37] Ofere went on to score eight goals in eleven appearance.

Vestsjælland and Sogndal

After Division 1 Södra season came to an end, Ofere joined FC Vestsjælland until the end of the season on 23 December 2013.[38] Ofere made his Vestsjælland debut on 21 February 2014, in a 4-0 loss against SønderjyskE.[39] Ofere scored his first Vestsjælland goal on 7 March 2014, in a 1–1 draw against Randers,[40] followed up by his second Vestsjælland goal, in a 2–1 win over Nordsjælland on 15 March 2014.[41] However, injury caused him five matches at Vestsjælland.[42] On 30 May 2014, it was announced that Ofere was released by the club after scoring twice in nine appearances.[43]

Despite keen to stay in Denmark further,[44] On 8 August 2014, Ofere joined Norwegian side Sogndal until the end of the season.[45] Ofere made his Sogndal debut two days later against FK Bodø/Glimt, coming on as a substitute for which Sogndal lose 2-0.[46] His time at Norway was poor, as the club were relegated to Norwegian First Division and Ofere made eight appearance for the club. Adresseavisen described Ofere as a disappointment, citing "He has been far below the level that we had hoped."[47] At the end of the season, Ofere was released by the club.[48]

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

On 27 February 2015, Ofere signed for Inverness Caledonian Thistle until the end of the 2014–15 season.[49]

The following day, he made his debut for the club, and scored, in a game against Motherwell.[50] Ofere's second goal later came two months later on 11 April 2015, in a 1–1 draw against Celtic.[51] Ofere scored against Celtic for the second time eight days later, in the semi-final of Scottish Cup, and beat them 3–2 to put them through to their first ever Scottish Cup final.[52] His third goal later came on 25 April 2015, in a 2–1 loss against Aberdeen.[53] Ofere's fourth goal came on 5 May 2015, in a 2–1 win over Dundee United.[54] Ofere played a vital role for the club when he scored a winning goal to guarantee European football for the first time.[55] Ofere started as a striker in the Scottish Cup Final, as Inverness Caledonian Thistle beat Falkirk to win their first ever Scottish Cup Final.[56]

Ofere was released by the club on 19 June 2015 after failing to negotiate a contract extension beyond the 2014–15 season.[57]

Dundee United

After a spell with Boluspor in Turkey, Ofere joined Dundee United in February 2016 on a contract to the end of the 2015-2016 season.[58] He made his debut for the club on 13 February 2016 coming on as a substitute in a 0-0 draw with Hamilton Academical Ofere scored his first goal for Dundee United in a 2-1 defeat to rivals Dundee which ultimately relegated Dundee United. [59] He was released by the club at the end of his contract.[60]

International career

Ofere also holds a Swedish passport, and is eligible for selection by both the Nigerian and the Swedish national teams. He has played three friendly games for Nigeria.[61]

Personal life

Ofere speaks Swedish and English.[17]

Honours

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

References

  1. ↑ "Malmö FF borrows Edward Ofere the year". Malmö FF. 1 September 2005. Archived from the original on 18 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Edward Ofere extends with Malmö FF". Malmö FF. 21 October 2005. Archived from the original on 18 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "Hammarby för bra för Malmö" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 17 April 2006. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Edward Ofere extends with Malmö FF". Malmö FF. 18 December 2008. Archived from the original on 18 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  5. ↑ "Publikskandal på Stockholms stadion" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Malmö drog ur proppen mot Elfsborg" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "DN-elvan omgång 24" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 26 September 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Krisen blir allt djupare för Hammarby" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 27 September 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "Kalmar vann målrik match" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  10. ↑ "Malmo play down Toon talk". Sky Sports. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  11. ↑ "Malmös seger i underkant" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  12. ↑ "Malmö vände på fem minuter" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 11 April 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  13. ↑ "Skador stör i Malmö FF" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  14. ↑ "En härlig nystart för AIK" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 18 July 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  15. ↑ "Edward Ofere jagas av arabklubb" (in Swedish). Expressen. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  16. ↑ "Edward Ofere nobbar Kina" (in Swedish). Expressen. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  17. 1 2 "Nu leker fotbollslivet för Ofere" (in Swedish). Sydsvenskan.se. 24 September 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  18. ↑ "UFFICIALE: Lecce, acquistato Ofere" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "Lecce, Ofere: "E' un passo importante per la mia carriera"" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  20. ↑ "Match Report: US Leece 1 - 1 Parma" (in Italian). LEGA Serie A. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  21. ↑ "Ribaltone Lecce Il Brescia è steso" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  22. ↑ "Match Report: US Leece 1 - 3 Genoa" (in Italian). LEGA Serie A. 5 December 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  23. ↑ "US Leece 2 - 3 Chievo Verona" (in Italian). LEGA Serie A. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  24. ↑ "Lecce, guaio per Ofere" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  25. ↑ "Lecce, operato Ofere: quattro mesi di stop" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  26. ↑ "Lecce, Ofere: "Il ginocchio destro sta bene" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 8 August 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  27. ↑ "US Leece 0 - 2 Udinese" (in Italian). LEGA Serie A. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  28. ↑ "Lecce, operato Ofere" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 7 December 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "US Leece 0 - 2 ACF Fiorentina" (in Italian). LEGA Serie A. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  30. ↑ "Lecce, Ofere sul piede di partenza" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  31. ↑ "UFFICIALE: Lecce, rescissione consensuale con Ofere" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  32. ↑ "Ofere åter i svensk fotboll" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  33. ↑ "TFF-straff värd tre poäng" (in Swedish). Sydsvenskan. 18 August 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  34. ↑ "Trelleborg tappar mark" (in Swedish). Sydsvenskan. 25 August 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  35. ↑ "Ågren såg Ofere avgöra" (in Swedish). Sydsvenskan. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  36. ↑ "Trelleborg närmar sig toppen" (in Swedish). Sydsvenskan. 8 September 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  37. ↑ "TFF "gav bort segern"" (in Swedish). Sydsvenskan. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  38. ↑ "Ofere till danska ligan" (in Swedish). Sydsvenskan. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  39. ↑ "FC Vestsjælland 0 - 4 SønderjyskE Fodbold" (in Danish). Politiken.dk. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  40. ↑ "Ove P: Har lov til at ærgre os" (in Danish). Bold.dk. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  41. ↑ "Oprykker hiver FC Nordsjælland med ned i bundstrid" (in Danish). Politiken.dk. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  42. ↑ "Ove P: Plat eller krone om Lumb spiller" (in Danish). Bold.dk. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  43. ↑ "Angriber forlader FC Vestsjælland" (in Danish). Bold.dk. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  44. ↑ "Ofere klar til at blive i Danmark" (in Danish). Bold.dk. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  45. ↑ "Edward Ofere klar for Sogndal" (in Norwegian). Sogndal Fotball. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  46. ↑ "Glimt holdt nullen for første gang i år - og van" (in Norwegian). Dagbladet Sporte. 10 August 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  47. ↑ "Denne spilleren topper hat-listen til supporterne" (in Norwegian). Adresseavisen. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  48. ↑ "71 spillere står uten jobb neste helg" (in Norwegian). Adresseavisen. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  49. ↑ "Edward Ofere: Inverness sign Nigerian forward". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  50. ↑ Lamont, Alasdair (28 February 2015). "Motherwell 2–1 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  51. ↑ "Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 – 1 Celtic". BBC Sport. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  52. ↑ "Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3 – 2 (aet) Celtic". BBC Sport. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  53. ↑ "Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 – 2 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  54. ↑ "Inverness 2-1 Dundee U: Caley close on third in Scottish Premiership". Sky Sports. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  55. ↑ "Dundee 0 – 1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle". BBC Sport. 9 May 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  56. 1 2 Lamont, Alasdair (30 May 2015). "Inverness CT 2–1 Falkirk". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  57. ↑ "Nat'll Do For Me". Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. 18 June 2015. Archived from the original on 18 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  58. ↑ "Dundee United sign ex-Inverness CT striker Edward Ofere". BBC Sport. 6 February 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  59. ↑ "Dundee 2-1 Dundee United". BBC Sport.
  60. ↑ Pattullo, Alan (4 May 2016). "Dundee United begin clear-out after top flight relegation". The Scotsman. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  61. ↑ "Pass upp - nu kan Ofere "välja" landslag" (in Swedish). Expressen. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
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