A former Flying Eagles defender Ikouwem Udo Utin has made a return to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, npflupdates reports.
Born in Urua Akpan AkwaIbom State, Utin started his career at Alaska Football Academy.
At Alaska, he developed quickly, rose through the academy’s rank before agreeing a deal with former CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC. He signed for Enyimba when he was 16-year-old.
He made his NPFL senior team debut for Enyimba in 2017. Establishing himself as the fans favourite, Ikouwem was presented with the Young Player of the Year Award by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) in 2018.
The Alaska Academy graduate was handed a first call up to the Super Eagles national team in 2018.
European spells of NPFL teen Ikouwem:
After the 2018/2019 Nigeria Premier Football League season, Utin secured a lucrative move to Israeli giants Maccabi Haifa.
He agreed to terms and signed with the former Israeli champions. Adapting to life in the Maccabi Haifa camp was not easy for the defender; he lacked enough game time.
On 28 July, Utin was loaned out to another Israeli outfit, Bnei Saknin until the end of the season.
At Bnei Saknin, he endured another difficult start to life. Failed to impress the coaching crew and was subsequently released at the end of his loan deal.
Back at Maccabi Haifa with no room for his services, the 23-year-old switched his attentions to the Croatian league.
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On 4 September 2021, Utin agreed to an offer from Croatian giants, NK Slaven Belupo. The details of his deal wasn’t made public, but it was speculated to be a 3-year-deal.
In mid 2022/2023 season, NK Slaven Belupo, released Utin after he was deemed surplus. He remained unattached for a couple of months before switching back to the NPFL.
Ikouwem agreed to terms, passed his fitness test; and inked for Shooting Stars SC.
He will remain with the Ibadan-based club until the remainder of the season.
