Sesa FA’s Chukwudi Chukwuma signs for Czech top division side FK Teplice

Sesa Football Academy striker Chukwudi Chukwuma signed a 4-year deal with FK Teplice, a top division club in the Czech Republic GambrinusLiga. 

The signing came after Chukwuma impressed the FK Teplice technical staff with his consistent play and a goal in a friendly match win against Meteor Praha FC while on invitation for a 10-day trial with 

the club.

This is the first time that a player from an Indian football academy has secured a professional contract with a top division side in Europe.  The invitation for the trial came as a result of his impressive performances while representing Sesa Football Academy in the Goa Pro League and U20 I-League. 

Chukwuma, known for his blistering pace and clinical finishing abilities, began his stint with Sesa Football Academy in 2010 and has been trained under the watchful eyes of his father Clifford Chukwuma and ex-Academy Director and Chief Scout of Panathinaikos FC and current Sesa FA Technical Director TassosSioulas. 

FK Teplice, located 80km north of Prague and currently in 3rd place in the Czech Gambrinusliga, competed in the 1999-2000 UEFA Champions League and 2009-2010 UEFA Europa League and includes Bosnia & Herzegovina & Manchester City striker EdinDzeko as a part of its alumni.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing in Europe and now my dream has become a reality. I cannot wait to begin playing with FK Teplice. This is a huge opportunity for me and I would like to thank Sesa Football Academy, its coaches and administrators, TassosSioulas (Technical Director – Sesa FA), my father and Libero Sports India for believing in me and helping me realise my dream of playing professional football in Europe,”  Chukwudi said after signing an official contract with 

FK Teplice.

Executive Director of Sesa Sterlite (erstwhile Sesa Goa), PK Mukherjee said, “We are elated and extremely proud that Chukwudi has signed with European club FK Teplice as our objective for the Academy is to provide opportunities for youth to reach the highest levels professionally. Chukwudi has worked extremely hard over the past 4 years at Sesa Football Academy and all our wishes are with him. We hope that he carries the brand of Sesa FA well and has a very successful career in Europe.”

Director of FK Teplice, Frantisek Hrdlicka said, “We are delighted with the signing of Chukwudi Chukwuma. He did really well in the training sessions last week where he showed a lot of promise. He is very quick and talented, with a great future. We are happy to have him 

with us.’’ Chukwudi was represented by Libero Sports in this deal, and Managing Director of Libero Sports India, Sukhvinder Singh was quoted as saying, 

“This move proves that developing grass roots football does lead onto bigger things. Sesa Football Academy has played a major role in the development of Indian Football and this success story will open up many doors where in International clubs will keep a keen eye on Indian talent and vice versa. Everyone at Libero Sports wishes Chukwudi all the best and hope that he makes it big in European and World 

football.’’

Chukwuma will leave for Czech Republic in January 2014 and will join FK Teplice on their campaign to top the Gambrinus Liga table.