Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe: Dundalk is a very ambitious club who are looking to big things domestically and in Europe

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe during his time with Sligo Rovers

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe during his time with Sligo Rovers Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe has taken a less than conventional route to Oriel Park. As a young player he was on the books of Millwall and Leyton Orient before leaving the Lions and focusing on his studies. 

“I played for Millwall when I was around eight, nine, ten or eleven but after that I didn’t really play football as much,” recounts the player affectionately known as Junior. 

Junior is a product of the non-leagues in England and has played previously at clubs such as Hucknall Town, Lewes, Hayes and Yeading, Maldon and Tiptree, and Bromley just to name a few. 

This path has been more famously worn by current Premier League players such as Jamie Vardy, Michail Antonio, Nick Pope and Troy Deeney, but also former internationals such as Ian Wright, Stuart Pearce, Tony Cascarino and Gary Birtles. 

“I played for Millwall, moved houses and ended up joining a local club and played with my friends.

“To be fair I was more into my studies, but I didn’t really play as much football as I probably should have,” said Junior.

“With school, it was a thing which my parents drove into me. It was seen as more realistic.” The talented attacker most certainly has had his head screwed on from an early age.

The Londoner completed his A-levels in biology, chemistry, psychology and drama, an impressive array. Asked on what career would have been for him; accountancy could have been the one although football was always a passion. 

After learning his trade in the lower echelons of English football and a brief stint in Cyprus, Junior was picked up by Colchester United where he failed to make much of an impact in League Two. 

An impressive loan spell at Derry City put Junior on the map in Irish football circles. Top scorer in the 2019 season with 14 goals propelled the Candystripes into Europe. 



Israeli Premier League side Hapoel Hadera snapped up Junior with their sights on qualifying for Europe. Two months in and the pandemic struck, the contract was mutually cancelled, and Junior was back in London.

“Going to Israel was good. The quality of football and the facilities was very good, so I was looking forward to it but unfortunately Covid happened, so I had to go back,” said Junior. 

Sligo Rovers was the next port of call, the opponents in Dundalk’s first league game of the season. Again, Junior’s arrival at the club helped the Bit O’Red into Europe, but the Lilywhites came calling in January.

“I don’t see myself as a player who wants to move around a lot. I see myself as quite ambitious and Dundalk is a very ambitious club who are looking to big things domestically and in Europe.

“It’s better to be in a (place) where the pressure is to win and not to think about getting relegated,” said Junior.

As with many modern forwards, versatility is required to play in several different systems and positions. Junior has shown in pre-season and at previous clubs that he can play on the left, right, number ten position and as a centre-forward. Junior prefers to play on the left or through the middle but is happy to play wherever for the benefit of the team. 



A 13-year-old Junior was mesmerised when Kaka torched the Manchester United defence on their way to winning the Champions League in 2007 which had an impact on how he wanted to play.

“I liked watching Kaka growing up, I thought he was such a good player. For me he was my favourite player because I was a no. 10 as well so that was the person I looked up to playing football.”

Dundalk will need to get a tune out of Junior to be successful this season. The Englishman has been bright in pre-season and will hope to continue that form. His old team in Sligo will aim hope to keep him quiet. 

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