Chidozie Awaziem Bio
Chidozie Collins Awaziem is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Ligue 1 club Nantes and the Nigeria national team. Standing at 1.92 metres tall, he has built his career around physical defending, positional awareness, and the ability to step into midfield when his team needs to build from the back. Over the course of more than a decade in professional football, Awaziem has represented clubs in Portugal, France, Turkey, Spain, Croatia, and the United States, while also earning caps on the international stage with the Super Eagles.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, Awaziem rose through the youth system at El-Kanemi Warriors before completing a move to FC Porto in 2014. He has since developed into a reliable defender whose journey includes league titles in Portugal, a cup winners’ medal in Croatia, and appearances at major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Early Life and Background
Chidozie Collins Awaziem was born on 1 January 1997 in Enugu, a city in southeastern Nigeria known for producing athletes across several sports. Growing up in this environment, he developed an early interest in football, the country’s most popular sport, and began training with local youth setups before catching the attention of professional scouts.
His first significant step into organised football came when he joined the youth ranks of El-Kanemi Warriors, a club based in northern Nigeria. During his time with El-Kanemi from 2011 to 2014, Awaziem developed the defensive fundamentals that would later define his professional career. His performances during this period attracted interest from clubs abroad, and in 2014 he secured a move to FC Porto in Portugal, one of Europe’s most respected footballing institutions.
Path to Soccer
The transition to FC Porto’s academy marked the beginning of Awaziem’s European football journey. He spent the 2014 to 2015 season playing for Porto’s youth teams, where he adapted to the tactical and technical demands of European football while continuing his physical development as a central defender. His progress through the youth ranks earned him recognition within the club, and he was soon promoted to the senior setup.
During his final year as a junior, Awaziem helped Porto’s youth side win their corresponding league title, signalling his readiness for senior football. The pathway to Porto’s first team was supported by the club’s structured development programme, which exposed him to high-level coaching and competitive matches in Portugal’s lower divisions.
Chidozie Awaziem Career
Early Career (2015-2019)
Awaziem made his senior debut with FC Porto’s reserve side, Porto B, in the Segunda Liga during the 2015-16 season. His first appearance with Porto’s senior squad came on 27 January 2016, when he played the full ninety minutes in a Taça da Liga match against C.D. Feirense. Less than a month later, on 12 February 2016, he made his Primeira Liga debut, starting in a 2-1 away win over S.L. Benfica during an injury crisis in the defensive unit.
His growing reputation led to a loan move to French Ligue 1 side FC Nantes for the 2017-18 season. Awaziem made his Ligue 1 debut on 6 August 2017, entering as a substitute in a 3-0 loss to Lille OSC. After returning to Porto, he was loaned again in January 2019, joining Turkish Süper Lig club Çaykur Rizespor for the remainder of the campaign. A subsequent loan followed in August 2019, taking him to Spanish La Liga side CD Leganés.
Boavista Era (2020-2024)
In 2020, Awaziem signed a temporary deal with Boavista F.C., another club based in the city of Porto. The arrangement included an obligation for a permanent four-year contract, which was activated on 30 June 2021. During the 2020-21 campaign, he featured regularly for Boavista in the Primeira Liga, establishing himself as a consistent presence in their defensive line.
While contracted to Boavista, Awaziem continued to be loaned out to gain further experience. In September 2021, he returned to Turkey, joining Alanyaspor of the Süper Lig. On 1 August 2022, he was loaned to Croatian side HNK Hajduk Split with an option for a permanent move. During his time at Hajduk, he scored a career-best five goals in a single season and won the Croatian Football Cup, marking one of the most successful stretches of his club career.
FC Cincinnati Era (2024)
On 25 July 2024, Awaziem joined Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati on a two-year contract with an option to extend through 2027. He made 14 appearances at TQL Stadium and recorded three assists, contributing experience and physicality to Cincinnati’s defensive corps during his time in Ohio.
Although his stay in MLS was brief, Awaziem used the opportunity to adjust to the demands of North American football and to demonstrate his passing range from the back. On 9 December 2024, he signed a one-year deal with Colorado Rapids, a move that included an extension option through 2027.
Nantes Return (2025-Present)
In the summer of 2025, Awaziem returned to FC Nantes, signing a three-year contract with the Ligue 1 club. His return to France marked a homecoming of sorts, having previously spent the 2017-18 season on loan at the same club. His familiarity with the league and the club’s environment positioned him as a key defensive addition for the campaign ahead.
Driving Style and Strengths
Awaziem is recognised for his aerial ability, strength in one-on-one duels, and composure when building play from the back. Standing at 1.92 metres, he combines physical presence with a willingness to step into midfield and distribute the ball. His experience across multiple leagues has helped him develop tactical flexibility, allowing him to adapt to different defensive systems and playing styles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable achievements of Awaziem’s career is his medal-winning campaign with HNK Hajduk Split, where he claimed the Croatian Football Cup while scoring a personal-best five goals. He has also been part of Nigerian squads at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, although he remained an unused player during the group-stage exit, and has represented the Super Eagles at four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Chidozie Awaziem Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Chidozie Awaziem has collected honours at both club and international level. His trophy cabinet includes a Portuguese youth league title with Porto’s junior side, a Croatian Football Cup medal with HNK Hajduk Split, and runner-up finishes at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 2019, 2023, and 2025.
Porto and Hajduk Split Highlights
During his time in Porto’s youth system, Awaziem contributed to a league title in the 2014-15 season, which served as a foundation for his progression into senior football. Years later, his spell at HNK Hajduk Split proved particularly rewarding, as he combined regular defensive duties with an unexpected attacking output, scoring five goals and lifting the Croatian Football Cup.
International Performances
On the international stage, Awaziem has represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and at four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He earned a runner-up medal in 2023 in Ivory Coast, in 2019 in Egypt, and in 2025 in Morocco, although Nigeria fell short of the title on each occasion.
Chidozie Awaziem Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Awaziem’s immediate family remains limited, and he has not disclosed extensive details about his parents or siblings in widely accessible sources. His early football development in Enugu suggests a supportive environment that encouraged his pursuit of a professional career.
Personal Life
Awaziem tends to keep his personal life away from the public eye, and there are no widely reported details about a spouse or children. His career has taken him across multiple countries, and he has focused much of his public profile on his performances for club and country.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a significant chapter in Awaziem’s career, beginning with his brief spell at Colorado Rapids before his summer move back to FC Nantes. His return to Ligue 1 was framed as a strategic addition to a defensive unit familiar with his playing style, given his earlier loan spell at the club during the 2017-18 campaign.
At international level, Awaziem was included in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up. His role within the squad reflected his continued importance as a senior defensive option for the national team setup.
Looking ahead, Awaziem’s three-year contract with Nantes provides a stable platform to contribute consistently in Ligue 1 and to remain a contender for selection with Nigeria in upcoming international fixtures. His blend of experience, physicality, and tactical awareness positions him as a reliable figure in both dressing rooms for the seasons to come.
