CHARLOTTE, N.C.(Wednesday, August 5, 2026)— Crown Legacy FC today announcedit has loaned Nigerian winger Emmanuel Uchegbu to Croatian side NKVaraždinthrough the 2026-27 season. The loan has no purchaseoptionor obligation.
“This loan is a fantastic opportunity for Emmanuel to get minutes at a high-level in Europe and continue to push his development further,” said Charlotte FC Assistant General Manager Bobby Belair. “With Varaždin, he will get the chance to contributeinthe European Conference League and the Croatian first division againstvery goodcompetition. We wish Emmanuel the best of luck in the upcoming season and look forward to tracking his progress.”
Uchegbu, 21, joined CLFC on March 13, 2025, from Slovakian side ASTrenčín, and has since appeared in 37 matches, 31 starts, contributing eight goals and three assists.This year, the winger joined Charlotte FC in preseasontrainingsand has since appeared in 13 matches with Legacy, scoring twice. Prior to his time in the Queen City,Uchegbutallied 30 appearances withTrenčín’s senior squad where he added five goals and two assists in allcompetitions.
On the international level,Uchegbuhas three official appearances with Nigeria’s U-20 squad, having made his youth international debut on Feb. 19, 2023, in a friendly against Senegal. He also scored off the bench in a 2-1 comeback over the Democratic Republic of Congo in an unofficial friendly in preparation for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in February 2023.
Transaction:Crown Legacy FCloans Nigerian forward EmmanualUchegbuto NKVaraždin(CRO) through 6/30/27, with no purchaseoptionor obligation.
Crown Legacy FC Roster as of August 5, 2026:
Goalkeeper (1): Jahiem Wickham
Defenders (3):Ashton Kamdem,WillianSangoquiza, Jamie Smith
Midfielders (2): Daniel Longo, Andrej Subotić
Forwards (4):MichaelAyoví,Barzee Blama, HugoMbongue,Nathan Richmond
