Peter Odemwingie
Nigeria

  • Full name Peter Odemwingie
  • Birth date July 15, 1981
  • Birth place Tashkent, Uzbekistan
  • Current age 42 years 248 days
  • Height 5 ft 11 in
Peter Odemwingie
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A lightning-quick forward, Peter Odemwingie is realising his ambition of playing in the Premier League with West Brom. Although his mother is Russian, the Nigeria international was unhappy playing in the capital for Lokomotiv Moscow and complained he was dropping off the radar. Of course, the Lokomotiv supporters' infamous and sickening racist banner greeting his departure suggested both parties were better off with a transfer.

Odemwingie had started out with Nigerian side Bendel Insurance via the CSKA Moscow academy but started to make a name for himself in Belgium at La Louviere. He was offered trials at Aston Villa and Blackburn but a switch to Lille propelled him into the limelight as he helped them reach the Champions League knockout stages and showed his quality in France's Ligue 1.

Lokomotiv brought him to Russia but he craved a crack at the Premier League, which is so popular in Nigeria, and joined Roberto Di Matteo's West Brom for around £1 million despite claiming Everton and Roma had also been interested in his services. An instant hit, he scooped the Barclays Player of the Month award in September, 2010, and looked an inspired signing. However, his form dropped alarmingly as the Baggies faded after a superb start to the season, and he is only just starting to recapture his previous sparkle.

A regular international for Nigeria, he has bags of experience of representing his country and even played in the 2008 Olympic final against Argentina, as well as the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Strengths: Quick and capable of playing off the last defender's shoulder, Odemwingie spent much of his career on the flanks but has been effective down the middle for Albion. Never afraid to try a shot, he is very direct and difficult to mark.

Weaknesses: Confidence is an obvious problem. He admits seeing the team psychologist after his "head went down" during a goal drought at West Brom and he looks a completely different player when on song.

Career high: A double in Lille's 4-0 battering of Lyon in May, 2006, earned him great recognition. The runaway champions were soundly beaten and one of his goals was an exquisite chip.

Career low: On the back of a poor display against Blackburn, when he missed several simple chances, Odemwingie fired a penalty wide against Manchester United that would have given the Baggies the lead. United won 2-1 and Odemwingie looked shattered by the spot-kick miss.

Style: Wiry, fast and elusive, not disimilar to Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Quotes: "Peter has always been a special player and we are delighted to have him in our fold. He is quick, intelligent and he also plays with pace and penetration." Former West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo, 2010.

Trivia: Odemwingie was actually born in Uzbekistan after his father travelled to the country to study medicine.

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Dec 21, 2011

Peter Odemwingie wheels away in delight after scoring

Sep 11, 2011

James Vaughan battles with Gabriel Tamas

Sep 11, 2011

Peter Odemwingie's penalty is saved by Declan Rudd

Sep 11, 2011

The teams observe a minute's silence

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