Wilfred Ndidi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Wilfred Ndidi
Ndidi lining up with Nigeria in 2017
Personal information
Full name Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi[1]
Date of birth (1996-12-16) 16 December 1996 (age 29)[2]
Place of birth Lagos, Nigeria
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Position Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Beşiktaş
Number 4
Youth career
2002–2012 Ekosodin Stars FC
2012–2015 Nath Boys Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2017 Genk 61 (4)
2017–2025 Leicester City 252 (11)
2025– Beşiktaş 14 (1)
International career‡
2013–2015 Nigeria U20 7 (0)
2015– Nigeria 71 (0)
Medal record
Africa Cup of Nations
Third place 2019 Egypt
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:17, 14 December 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 22:30, 16 November 2025 (UTC)

Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi (born 16 December 1996) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Süper Lig club Beşiktaş and the Nigeria national team. Ndidi is known for his defensive ability and intelligence.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

Club career

[edit | edit source]

Genk

[edit | edit source]

On 14 January 2015 Nath Boys Academy agreed a €180,000 transfer deal with Genk. The deal was completed on 15 January 2015. Ndidi made his Belgian Pro League debut with Genk on 31 January 2015 against Charleroi in a 1–0 away defeat. He played the first 74 minutes of the game before being substituted for Jarne Vrijsen.[10]

During the Belgian League play-off game against Club Brugge, Ndidi scored a long-range goal, which was named the goal of the season in the Belgian league. After receiving an attempted-clearance outside the penalty box, he lofted the ball smoothly over an opposing player before unleashing a ferocious volley into the top right corner.[11][12] The ball was adjudged to be travelling at over 111 km/h.[13]

Leicester City

[edit | edit source]

On 3 December 2016, Genk agreed a £17 million transfer deal with Leicester City.[14][15] The deal was confirmed on 5 January 2017.[16]

Ndidi made his debut for the club on 7 January 2017 in a 2–1 win against Everton in the third round of the FA Cup.[17] He made his first Premier League start on 14 January 2017, against Chelsea at home in a 3–0 defeat.[18] In the English FA Cup game against Derby County on 8 February 2017, Ndidi came on in the first half of extra time and scored his first goal for Leicester through another long-range shot.[19] In a 3–1 win over Liverpool on 27 February 2017, Ndidi won 11 of his 14 tackles,[20] a feat bettered only by Chelsea's N'Golo Kanté, who made 14 tackles against the same club in January.[21]

Ndidi was sent off for the first time in his career during Leicester's 3–0 home defeat to Crystal Palace on 16 December 2017.[22]

He scored the opener of the 2019–20 season for Leicester in a draw against Chelsea on 18 August 2019.[23]

2020–21 season

[edit | edit source]

On 13 September 2020, Ndidi started at centre-back in Leicester City's opening game of the 2020–21 Premier League campaign and kept a clean sheet in a 3–0 win away to West Bromwich Albion. Ndidi suffered an adductor injury on 20 September 2020 and was ruled out for 6–12 weeks.[24] He returned to action on 3 December in Leicester's Europa League loss to Zorya Luhansk.

On 19 January 2021, Ndidi scored his first goal of the season in Leicester City's league fixture against Chelsea. The match ended with Leicester beating their opponents 2–0 and the club went top of the league table.[25]

Later career

[edit | edit source]

Amidst rumours of Ndidi leaving Leicester as a free agent,[26] On 12 July 2024, he signed a new three-year contract extension with the club, running until June 2027.[27]

Beşiktaş

[edit | edit source]

On 8 August 2025, Ndidi joined Beşiktaş on a permanent three-year deal with an option for another year.[28] On 17 October 2025, Ndidi has been appointed as the vice captain of the team.[29]

International career

[edit | edit source]

Ndidi was part of the Nigerian youth setup during his time at Nathaniel Boys of Lagos. While playing the African U-17 Championship with Nigeria, he was excluded along with two other players from the competition as a precaution, following an MRI age test that suggested he was slightly above the threshold.[30] Notwithstanding, he joined up with his teammates in the U-20 team the following year, forming the bedrock of the midfield. He was called up to the senior Nigeria national football team on 8 October 2015, making his debut in the friendly game against DR Congo, and playing again a few days later in the 3–0 win against Cameroon, when he replaced John Obi Mikel in the 63rd minute.[31] He was selected by Nigeria for their 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics.[32]

In May 2018, he was named in Nigeria's preliminary 30-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[33] He was included in the African Cup of Nations 2019 squad[34] and played in Nigeria's first match against Burundi.[35] On 25 December 2021, Ndidi was selected in Nigeria's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations 28-man squad by Nigeria's caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen.[36] On 22 January 2022, after the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021 group stage, Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) shortlisted Ndidi in the group stage's best team as a substitute alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.[37]

On 29 December 2023, Ndidi was named in the Nigerian squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.[38] However, he sustained an injury in early January 2024 and was replaced by Alhassan Yusuf.[39]

Personal life

[edit | edit source]

In May 2019, Ndidi married his longtime girlfriend Dinma Fortune in Abuja.[40]

In 2019, Ndidi started studying for a degree in Business and Management at De Montfort University.[41]

Career statistics

[edit | edit source]

Club

[edit | edit source]
As of match played 8 November 2025[42]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Genk 2014–15 Belgian Pro League 6 0 0 0 — — — 6 0
2015–16 Belgian Pro League 36 4 5 0 — — 2[c] 0 43 4
2016–17 Belgian Pro League 19 0 3 1 — 12[d] 2 — 34 3
Total 61 4 8 1 — 12 2 2 0 83 7
Leicester City 2016–17 Premier League 17 2 2 1 0 0 4[e] 0 — 23 3
2017–18 Premier League 33 0 3 1 2 0 — — 38 1
2018–19 Premier League 38 2 0 0 2 0 — — 40 2
2019–20 Premier League 32 2 3 0 4 0 — — 39 2
2020–21 Premier League 26 1 6 0 0 0 4[d] 0 — 36 1
2021–22 Premier League 19 0 1 0 2 0 8[f] 2 1[g] 0 31 2
2022–23 Premier League 27 0 1 0 2 0 — — 30 0
2023–24 Championship 32 4 1 0 3 2 — — 36 6
2024–25 Premier League 28 0 1 0 1 1 — — 30 1
Total 252 11 18 2 16 2 16 2 1 0 303 18
Beşiktaş 2025–26 Süper Lig 10 1 0 0 — 2[h] 0 — 12 1
Career total 323 15 26 3 16 2 30 4 3 0 398 26
  1. ^ Includes Belgian Cup, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in Belgian Pro League Europa League play-offs
  4. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League, four appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa Conference League
  7. ^ Appearance in FA Community Shield
  8. ^ Appearances in UEFA Conference League

International

[edit | edit source]
As of match played 16 November 2025[43]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Nigeria 2015 2 0
2016 4 0
2017 8 0
2018 9 0
2019 13 0
2021 7 0
2022 5 0
2023 5 0
2024 8 0
2025 10 0
Total 71 0

Honours

[edit | edit source]

Leicester City

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  18. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  19. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  20. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  22. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  23. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  24. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  25. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  26. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  27. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  28. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  29. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  30. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  31. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  32. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  33. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  34. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  35. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  36. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  37. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  38. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  39. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  40. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  41. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  42. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  43. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
  44. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  45. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  46. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
    Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
[edit | edit source]
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Wikimedia Commons has media related to [[commons:Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]].
Wikiquote has quotations related to Wilfred Ndidi.
  • Profile at the Leicester City F.C. website
  • Wilfred Ndidi – FIFA competition record (archived)Lua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Retrieved from "http://70.231.62.181/index.php?title=Wilfred_Ndidi&oldid=23447041"