Chennaiyin FC has officially announced the signing of prolific Nigerian striker Daniel Chima Chukwu ahead of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season. The 33-year-old experienced centre-forward, who has previously played for ISL teams East Bengal and Jamshedpur, joins Chennaiyin on a two-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2026. Chima becomes the club’s fourth signing for the upcoming season.
Chima Chukwu has made significant contributions to the ISL over the past few years. During his tenure at Jamshedpur under the guidance of coach Owen Coyle, he played a pivotal role in their victorious ISL League Shield campaign in 2022. Over three seasons in the league, Chima has amassed 20 goals and four assists in 60 matches.
Owen Coyle, Chennaiyin’s head coach, expressed his enthusiasm about reuniting with Chima. “I brought Daniel to Jamshedpur in the winter window of the 21/22 season, and he scored seven crucial goals in nine games to help win us the shield. We have brought a goal scorer with a proven track record in India, and we are sure he will fit into this squad seamlessly,” Coyle said.
Chima Chukwu’s professional career began with Norwegian club Molde FK in 2010, where he made an immediate impact. During his time at Molde, he helped the team secure three league titles and two Norwegian Cups. Notably, two of these league titles came under the management of former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Chima’s ability to perform in high-stakes matches was further demonstrated through his appearances in the Europa League and Champions League Qualifying rounds.
Reflecting on his new opportunity with Chennaiyin FC, Chima expressed his excitement and determination. “It’s very exciting. Wanted to continue the journey, but unfortunately, it ended with him (Coyle leaving JFC), and now the opportunity came up back on, and I had to grab the opportunity to play under him,” Chima said.
Apart from his success in Norway, Chima has also had a notable stint in Poland with Legia Warszawa, where he guided the team to two league titles. His extensive experience in European competitions and multiple leagues highlights his versatility and goal-scoring prowess, making him a valuable addition to Chennaiyin FC.
As the new season approaches, Chennaiyin FC fans will undoubtedly look forward to seeing Chima in action, hoping that his goal-scoring exploits will lead the team to new heights. The club’s commitment to building a strong and competitive squad is evident, and the addition of Chima is a significant step in that direction.
