Chiedozie Ogbene has developed into a key player for club and country

BE it for Luton Town in the English Premier League or at international level for the Republic Of Ireland, Chiedozie Ogbene has very much become a key performer.

The career of the 26 year-old winger has consistently been on an upward trajectory and that is largely down to his excellent attitude.

From Limerick FC to Rotherham United, Exeter City to Brentford, wherever Ogbene has gone his talents have flourished.

All his hard work paid off he got to fulfil a lifelong dream and become a Premier League footballer at Luton.

The footballing ability of Ogbene first started to appear at Cork City U19s, where he helped the Rebel Army win the National Underage league. He also was part of a talented City U19s side that played in the UEFA Youth League against Italian giants AS Roma and HJK Helsinki from Finland.

Among the teammates Ogbene had in that City U19s team included current Swindon Town attacker Aaron Drinan and the present Cork City first team captain Cian Coleman.

Speaking to The Echo, Stephen Bermingham, who was Ogbene’s manager with the City U19s, recalls Chiedozie as someone who constantly seeked to improve his game.

“As soon as we started working with him, his attitude was the first thing you would notice. 

"His willingness to improve and to learn, he was always willing to get advice on how to improve his game.

“When he came in first he was very powerful, strong and very good at running with the ball. 

"We obviously had to work on certain areas from the tactical side of it. We always knew that if he got on the ball in the right areas, he was going to hurt other teams.

“The two seasons that Chiedozie was with us, he was exceptional. The amount of assists that he had and he was really powerful. 

"The one thing I would always say about him, he was always very positive. He was always looking to progress and always looking to make himself better.

“The big thing we would always say with Chiedozie and you probably notice when you see him during interviews is he is very respectful. 

"He is a great character and a great fella to have around the team. He was always very positive and very interactive with everybody.” 

The impressive performances by Ogbene saw him break into the City first team, including coming on as a sub in the 2016 FAI Cup final victory against Dundalk at the Aviva Stadium.

Seeing first hand with the Cork City U19s what Ogbene was capable of, Bermingham watches on proudly to the present day as the winger lights it up with Luton and Ireland.

“There was a lot of talk about Chiedozie when Luton played Liverpool recently. He was exceptional. 

"What we would have seen when he came into Cork City U19s, he had the same pace and power, a very good balance and being able to beat players.

“As he has progressed on, he has just honed in on the areas to improve on. His all round play has improved. 

"I would say since I saw Chiedozie in that first training session, it was just constant progression and constantly getting better.

“He came to a situation that he was just getting better and better. 

"By the end of the second season at City, he was involved in John Caulfield’s first team and came on in the FAI Cup final and did really well. He has that positivity of always trying to attack.” 

As Rob Edwards seeks to guide Luton Town to Premier League survival, the rapid pace of Ogbene has formed a crucial part to their style of play.

While once the new Republic Of Ireland national team manager has been appointed, it is very likely Chiedozie is going to play a crucial role.

Former City U19s boss Bermingham is excited by what the coming months and years hold for Ogbene.

“Everything Chiedozie gets over the next number of years, he has worked hard for it. From my working with him, he deserves it and worked so hard to get where he is. Unbelievable commitment and unbelievable sacrifice.

“It is great to see him progress. The one thing I would always say about Chiedozie is he just wants to play. 

"He enjoys playing and you can see that when he plays, he seems to be really enjoying it.

“I think even he has been an element of surprise in the Premiership. But it is great and it is great to see how he is after progressing.”