Former Nigeria U20 star Nnamdi Ofoborh has played his first competitive game in three years after finally overcoming a heart condition.
The former Bournemouth and Rangers midfielder has been sidelined for the last 36 months after a heart problem was detected by specialists during his electrocardiogram test.
However, he has been a free agent since August 2023 but was announced as Swindon Town’s latest signing on Friday, March 29, 2024. The 24-year-old made his debut later on the same day as the Robins defeated Notts County 2-1 in the EFL League Two to move 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Ofoborh replaced Ricky Aguiar in the 85th minute to make his return to competitive football after being sidelined for the past three years due to a heart problem.
Nnamdi Ofoborh feels blessed to back
The England-born footballer was on a promising career path when he emerged on the scene as a teenager in 2017. He rose through the ranks at Bournemouth, where he captained the club’s U18 side and was voted the Cherries’ young player of the year in the 2017/18 season.
Ofoborh subsequently had two separate loan spells with Wycombe Wanderers and returned to Bournemouth to make his first-team debut in an EFL Cup victory over Crystal Palace in 2020.
In-between, the midfielder opted to play for Nigeria and represented the West African nation in the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup, featuring in every game as the Flying Eagles reached the round of 16 of the tournament.
Ofoborh secured a dream move to Scottish giants Rangers when he signed a pre-contract in February 2021 but he never got to play for the club after a heart issue was discovered during his medicals. The midfielder’s contract with Rangers was supposed to run until 2025 but it was mutually terminated in August 2023, which allowed him to join Swindon Town on a free transfer after close to a year of being without a club.
Having made a return to top-flight football for the first time in three years, Ofoborh said he feels blessed to have a second chance at a career in football.
“I am blessed and am happy to be here. It's been a long time coming and I am looking forward to getting started. I am just thankful to god that I have got this opportunity and hopeful I can make it count,” he told Swindontownfc.co.uk.
‘Doctors said I’m lucky to be here’
Ofoborh’s debut against Notts County on Friday was his first competitive game since featuring for Wycombe Wanderers in the Championship in 2021.
The Nigerian footballer had revealed in a previous Instagram post that doctors told him he was lucky to be alive after he was diagnosed with a heart condition.
“This year has easily been the toughest year of my life. All the depression, anger, sadness and loneliness I’ve experienced but extremely grateful for the support from family, friends and teammates,” Ofoborh wrote on the photo-sharing social media platform.
“It has been a tough year mentally and physically and as you can see a lot has gone on behind the scenes. Many doctors said I’m lucky to be here but I don’t believe in luck but the blessings from God. I owe it all to God for aiding me on this comeback trail.”
Ofoborh will be hoping to rebuild his career at Swindon Town by helping Gavin Gunning’s side to maintain their top-flight status in League Two at the end of the season.
At 24, the midfielder’s best years are still ahead of him and he could also play himself into contention for a Super Eagles call-up if he secures a move to any of the major European leagues in the near future.
