Brown Ideye: AFCON 2013 Winner Announces Retirement From Professional Football
- Brown Ideye has announced his retirement from professional football, expressing gratitude to Nigerians for their support
- The former striker played for clubs in Africa and Europe, including FC Sochaux, Dynamo Kyiv, and West Bromwich Albion
- He was a member of the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa
A former Nigerian international, Brown Ideye, has thanked Nigerians as he announces his retirement from professional football.
Ideye’s career spanned over a decade, as he played for several prominent clubs across Europe and Africa.
He began his professional journey with Bayelsa United in Nigeria before moving to Europe, where he played for clubs like FC Sochaux in France, Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine, and West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League.
Source: Getty Images
His time at Dynamo Kyiv was particularly notable, where he won the Ukrainian Super Cup in 2011 and the Ukrainian Cup during the 2013-2014 season.
He represented Nigeria at the U20 level during the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup in Canada.
Ideye earned a senior national team call-up in 2010 and made his debut on August 11 in a friendly match against South Korea, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Nigeria.
He played a crucial role for Nigeria at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, when the Super Eagles won the title under Stephen Keshi.
In total, he earned 28 caps and scored 6 goals in the Nigerian colours between 2010 and 2016, before calling it quits on the international scene, per ACL Sport.
On August 19, 2025, the striker, who recently parted ways with NPFL club Enyimba FC, announced his retirement in a statement. He wrote on X:
"After much thought and consideration with mixed emotions, I've decided to retire from professional football.
"I will first like to thank God for the talent and the long career I've enjoyed. I thank my family and friends for their unwavering love, support and understanding till this day.
"This game made me and gave me everything—incredible joy, sad days, the opportunity to travel and see the world, lifelong friendships, and so many unforgettable memories.
"To all the Agents who worked tirelessly and negotiated with clubs for my dreams to come true—thank you. To all the sports journalists who spent long hours day and night covering and highlighting my career, I owe you a depth of gratitude.
"To every club I've had the honour of wearing their jersey and representing, every coach and teammate who pushed and rooted for me to be better, and every fan who supported me through highs and lows—thank you.
"Thank you, Nigeria, for the opportunity you gave me to wear the national colour and be among the Super Eagles.
"Though my time as a pro-player has come to an end, football will always be a part of my life as I enter my next chapter.
"Thank you all for being a part of this journey, and I look forward to still seeing you on these football streets."
Source: Getty Images
Ideye speaks on Nigeria's CHAN disaster
Legit.ng earlier reported that Ideye delivered brutal remarks following the Super Eagles Team B's exit from the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The players from the Nigeria Professional Football League were humiliated by Sudan in their second match of the competition, losing 4-0.
Source: Legit.ng
