CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Wednesday, August 5, 2026) — Crown Legacy FC today announced it has loaned Nigerian winger Emmanuel Uchegbu to Croatian side NK Varaždin through the 2026-27 season. The loan has no purchase option or 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 contribute in the European Conference League and the Croatian first division against very good competition. 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 AS Trenčín, and has since appeared in 37 matches, 31 starts, contributing eight goals and three assists. This year, the winger joined Charlotte FC in preseason trainings and has since appeared in 13 matches with Legacy, scoring twice. Prior to his time in the Queen City, Uchegbu tallied 30 appearances with Trenčín’s senior squad where he added five goals and two assists in all competitions.
On the international level, Uchegbu has 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 FC loans Nigerian forward Emmanual Uchegbu to NK Varaždin (CRO) through 6/30/27, with no purchase option or obligation.
Crown Legacy FC Roster as of August 5, 2026:
Goalkeeper (1): Jahiem Wickham
Defenders (3): Ashton Kamdem, Willian Sangoquiza, Jamie Smith
Midfielders (2): Daniel Longo, Andrej Subotić
Forwards (4): Michael Ayoví, Barzee Blama, Hugo Mbongue, Nathan Richmond
