BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN-ROSE
Former Southampton FC and Royal Antwerp FC forward Victor Udoh has died at the age of 21 in Nigeria, with reports indicating the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
According to reports from the United Kingdom, the young Nigerian striker was found dead in Abuja on Tuesday, though authorities have yet to officially confirm the cause of death.
Udoh recently returned to Nigeria following the end of his spell with Czech side SK Dynamo České Budějovice, whom he joined after leaving Southampton earlier this year.
Royal Antwerp paid tribute to the former attacker in an emotional statement released on the club’s official social media pages.
The Belgian side recalled Udoh’s impressive breakthrough campaign with the Young Reds during the 2023/24 season, where he scored 12 goals in 21 appearances before earning his first-team debut against Charleroi.
The club expressed condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones, describing the news as heartbreaking and wishing them strength during the difficult period.
Udoh signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Southampton but did not make a senior appearance before both parties agreed to part ways in pursuit of regular football opportunities.
Before moving to Europe, the striker developed at Abuja-based academy Hypebuzz and was regarded as one of Nigeria’s emerging attacking talents.
Former teammate Pierre Dwomoh also reacted emotionally to the news, saying he initially struggled to believe reports of Udoh’s death until family members confirmed the tragedy.
