Iké Ugbo: “Apollon gives me the opportunity to show my best again”

Iké Ugbo arrives at Apollon determined to put a difficult period behind him and begin a new chapter in his career.

The Canadian striker speaks openly about the challenges of the past two years, admits that Hernan Losada played an important role in his decision to wear the blue and white shirt, and explains why he believes Apollon is the ideal environment to return to the level he knows he is capable of reaching.

Welcome to Apollon. What convinced you that this was the right move for you at this stage of your career?
The past two years have been quite difficult for me. I felt that I needed a fresh start, a new environment and a competitive team where I could rediscover my best form. From everything I learned and saw about Apollon, I felt it was a club with a winning mentality. That’s something I’d been looking for for quite some time. On top of that, the opportunity to compete for trophies and play in European competitions again made the decision even easier.

You had offers from other clubs. Why did you ultimately choose Apollon?
There was interest from clubs in Belgium, Turkey and even MLS. However, I had already decided that I wanted to return to the European football scene and join a club with high ambitions. Apollon offered me exactly that opportunity. It’s a club that wants to compete for titles and play in Europe, and that was a very important factor in my decision.

You know Hernan Losada from your time together in Belgium. How important was that familiarity in your decision?
It was very important. The relationship between a player and a coach plays a crucial role. When a coach knows your qualities and believes in you, it gives you confidence. My previous experience taught me just how important that relationship really is. Your abilities don’t change overnight. What changes are the circumstances and the way a coach uses you. That had a significant influence on my decision to join Apollon.

What did he tell you before you signed?
We mainly spoke about how he sees me fitting into the team’s style of play. He knows my qualities and believes I can offer what he expects from a striker in his system. That convinced me even more.

Hernan Losada has said that personality is a key factor when choosing new players. Why do you think he felt you were the right fit for Apollon?
He told me he had spoken to people who had worked with me before to learn more about my personality. I’m not the loudest person in the dressing room, but I always try to be myself, work hard and help the team in every way I can. I believe those are qualities he appreciated.

The past two seasons didn’t go the way you had hoped. What do you think went wrong?
A lot of things happened. The coach who brought me to the club left very early, and that had a big impact. After that, there wasn’t a clear direction. All of those factors made things much more difficult for me.

What did that period teach you?
It made me stronger. Every footballer’s career has good moments and difficult ones. The important thing is to find the strength to bounce back. I’ve done it before, and I believe I can do it again.

Do you believe Apollon is the ideal place for you to get back to your best?
Yes, that’s exactly why it was my first choice. I saw a team coming off a very good season, with clear ambitions and a clear direction. I believe this is the right environment for me to rediscover my best form and help the team achieve its goals.

How would you describe yourself as a striker?
I’m a striker who likes to operate inside the box and finish chances. That’s my role. I want to score goals, but I also want to bring energy and work hard for the team. I enjoy working with coaches who have a clear philosophy and want their teams to play attacking football. That suits my qualities best. From our very first conversation, I could see that the coach has a clear vision of how he wants the team to play, and that was something that really appealed to me.

You came through Chelsea’s Academy and won major youth trophies there. What is the biggest lesson you took from that period?
The winning mentality. From a very young age at Chelsea, you’re taught that winning is always the objective. At the same time, you’re surrounded every day by top-quality players, which helps you improve constantly and adapt to different playing systems.

How important was representing Canada at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in your development?
It was an incredible experience. Playing at a World Cup is every footballer’s dream, and facing the best players in the world is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. It helped me grow both as a footballer and as a person.

What have your first impressions of Apollon and Limassol been?
From the moment I arrived, everyone made me feel very welcome. The people at the club helped me with everything I needed, which made settling in much easier. I’m really enjoying being here and can’t wait to get started.

What can Apollon supporters expect from Iké Ugbo?
They can expect a player who will give everything in every match. I want to bring energy, hard work and, of course, goals. I’m looking forward to meeting our supporters, and I hope we can enjoy many successful moments together.

Finally, what message would you like to send to the Apollon fans?
I can’t wait to see you supporting us both at home and away. Your support means a lot to us, and I’m confident that together we can achieve great things this season.