Full Name: Iyenoma Destiny Udogie
Date of Birth: 28 November 2002
Place of Birth: Verona, Italy
Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s): Left-back
Current Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Jersey Number: 13
While Destiny Udogie continues to impress on the field and grow as a player, he remains a humble talent in the midst of rising fame and expectations. Even when facing challenges, there is more to his journey than meets the eye.
However, after days of hard work and perseverance from his childhood till his rise to the Premier League, these facts tell much about the left wing-back and his career—much to the admiration of fans worldwide.
Below Are 8 Destiny Udogie Facts, Showcasing Parents, Heritage, Career & More
1. He is of Nigerian Descent via His Parents Franklin and Kate
Destiny Udogie’s Nigerian heritage is an essential part of his identity, as his parents, Kate and Franklin, hail from Ehor in Edo state in Nigeria. Growing up, he received immense support from his family, especially his father, who instilled a strong work ethic in him from an early age.
Franklin was adamant that Destiny take football seriously, teaching him the importance of resting properly before matches to ensure peak performance. His parents' dedication was unwavering—they never missed a home game during his time at Udinese.
2. His Football Skills Were Developed at the Hellas Verona Youth System Before Udinese Signed Him
Destiny’s football journey began in his hometown of Verona, where he joined the Hellas Verona youth system. It had always been his dream to play for this club, but his path was not without challenges.
After being rejected twice, his third attempt proved successful, and he finally signed for them. His time at Verona was short but impactful; in fact, he played only four hours for the club before Udinese snapped him up. "It was a dream come true when he finally signed," his father told Sky Sports. "He was always so desperate to win for them - it's what made his coaches love him."
3. He Cried When Denied Joining His Brother Uwa’s First Training Session
At age four, Destiny’s love for football was already clear. However, when he was told he couldn’t join his older brother Uwa’s first training session, the young boy couldn’t hold back his tears.
Despite being too young to join the older players he was keen to be part of the action. This emotional moment showed how deep his passion for the game ran, and from that day, he made it his mission to prove his worth. Was this early heartbreak the moment that sparked his relentless drive?
4. He Made his Serie A Debut Against AC Milan at San Siro in 2020
Destiny’s Serie A debut came against one of Italy’s biggest clubs, AC Milan, at the iconic San Siro stadium on November 8, 2020. At just 18 years old, it was a momentous occasion in his young career. Although Verona faced a tough challenge on the day, Destiny’s debut marked the beginning of what would become a rapid rise in Italian football.
5. He Has Been Thriving at Spurs
After a successful spell at Udinese, where he continued to develop, Destiny Udogie moved to Tottenham Hotspur in August 2022. Spurs beat out Serie A giants Inter Milan to secure his signature but allowed him to continue developing in Italy for another year before officially joining the Premier League side. Upon arriving in North London, he adapted quickly to Ange Postecoglou’s high-pressing system, which perfectly suits his pace, power, and technical skills.
6. He Represents Italy Internationally
Destiny's talent has gained recognition both at the club level and on the international stage. Though born in Italy to Nigerian parents Franklin and Kate, Udogie represents the Italian national team.
After impressing in Serie A, he earned his first call-up to the senior national team in October 2023 and debuted shortly after. His journey from youth international to senior debutant has been swift, and his international career now promises to be just as exciting as his club one.
7. He Used to Be A Centre-Forward
Before becoming one of the best left-backs in the Premier League today, Destiny Udogie played as a centre-forward during his younger years. This unexpected transition from attacking to defending wasn’t easy, but it expressed his adaptability.
A youth coach at Verona moved him from his original forward role to a defensive position and from then on he rose through the academy age groups in flying colours. His ability to adapt and thrive in a completely new position highlighted his versatility and footballing intelligence.
8. His Favourite Nigerian Player of All Time is Okocha
Destiny Udogie’s admiration for Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha runs deep. As a young player, Okocha was his idol, and he continues to regard him as his favourite Nigerian player of all time.
“My favourite player, of course, is Jay-Jay Okocha because he is a big legend and everyone in Nigeria knows him,” Destiny said on The Italian Football Podcast. Okocha’s flair, skill, and creativity on the ball truly left a lasting impression on the Spurs defender.
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