Una Nwajei

Una Nwajei

Personal information
Full name	Una Obiose Kriston Nwajei
Date of birth	(1977-03-07) 7 March 1977 (age 47)
Place of birth	Nigeria
Position(s)	Forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
–1999	Truro City Ladies
1999–2002	Southampton Saints
2002–2003	Fulham Ladies
2004–2008	Amazon Grimstad
2009	Team Strømmen	22	(14)
2010–2011	Amazon Grimstad	27	(7)
International career^‡
2002–2003	England	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:12, 14 December 2022 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:12, 14 December 2022 (UTC)

Una Obiose Kriston Nwajei (born 7 March 1977) is a former footballer. She played as a striker for Amazon Grimstad. Born in Nigeria, she represented England at international level.

Club career

Nwajei began playing for Southampton Saints in the FA Women's Premier League National Division while attending Southampton Institute.[1] Her form won her an international call-up and a professional contract with Fulham early in the 2002–03 season. When Fulham won the treble that season then reverted to semi-pro status, Nwajei followed teammate Margunn Haugenes to Norwegian club Amazon Grimstad.[2]

She remained at Amazon Grimstad thereafter, except for a season at Team Strømmen (now called LSK Kvinner) in 2009.[3] She was Strømmen's top goalscorer with 13 goals.[4]

International career

Nwajei was called up by England in January 2002.[5] She made her debut on 1 March 2002 in a 3–1 Algarve Cup defeat by Norway.[6]

She was allotted 142 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.[7][8]

Personal life

Nwajei learnt to play football during her childhood in Nigeria.[1] She graduated with a 2:1 in Business and IT from Southampton Institute in 2002.[1]

References

1. "Newspaper Article". Headway. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
2. Ankersen, Roald (5 February 2004). "Engelsk landslagsspiller går fra Fulham til Amazon" (in Norwegian). Akersposten. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
3. https://www.nettavisen.no/artikkel/engelsk-landslagspiller-til-grimstad-klubb/s/12-95-183115
4. "Toppscorer 2009". NRK Sport (in Norwegian). Retrieved 6 April 2010.
5. "Nwajei is a cut above the rest". Southern Daily Echo. 14 January 2002.
6. "Hope gives youngsters the thumbs up". TheFA.com. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
7. "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
8. Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.