Chioma Ubogagu has signed with Arsenal. (Photo Copyright Steve Bruno for The Equalizer)
Arsenal has signed former Stanford University forward Chioma Ubogagu.
Ubogagu was drafted by Sky Blue FC with the first pick of the fourth round (No. 28 overall) in the 2015 NWSL College Draft. Sky Blue FC coach Jim Gabarra acknowledged following the draft that he knew Ubogagu was in negotiations with an FAWSL team.
“Chioma is a player I have known about from my time coaching in the United States and she is a fantastic talent,” said Arsenal manager Pedro Martinez, who is a former Western New York Flash assistant coach. “She is very creative, and is able to make goals as well as score them. I think that she will fit in very well with us.”
Ubogagu was raised in Texas but born in England, making it easier for her to obtain a work permit in England. Her grandfather played for Nigeria.
In four years at Stanford, Ubogagu scored 27 goals and added 37 assists. Ubogagu was part of the 2012 U.S. U-20 team that won the World Cup.
Arsenal describes Ubogagu as a “lifelong” supporter of the club.
Sky Blue FC also drafted former Georgetown midfielder Daphne Corboz at No. 22 overall in the 2015 draft, but Gabarra acknowledged that he expects Corboz to sign with Manchester City. Corboz, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and France, was recently accepted into medical school at Rutgers, where Sky Blue FC plays.
