Right-BackNetherlands20 years oldPlays for FC Volendam
Precious Joel Uche‑Chukwu Ugwu – 20 years, right‑back, 192 cm tall. He is on the books of FC Volendam, wearing the number 2 shirt. The 2026‑27 season has seen him clock 652 minutes in the Eerste Divisie, averaging a 6.78 rating. A former Ajax youth product, he joined Volendam on 1 July 2025 on a three‑year deal that runs to 30 June 2028.
Ugwu is a tall, right‑footed defender who can slot into centre‑back when needed. His height gives him an aerial edge; he wins 78 % of duels in the 2026‑27 season. He is comfortable on the ball, often dropping into midfield to link play. Dribbling is competent but not a hallmark; he prefers to stay in position and clear. Game reading is solid – he anticipates crosses and cuts them off early. Physicality is a work in progress; his pace lags behind typical full‑back benchmarks, but he compensates with positional sense. Improvement areas:
Ugwu spent eleven years in Ajax’s academy, rising through every age group. He debuted for Jong Ajax on 26 February 2024, featuring in 31 matches for the U23 side. The move to Volendam in 2025 was a step to secure first‑team minutes. In the 2026‑27 campaign he has been a regular starter, playing every minute of the first ten matches. Recent performances:
He has represented the Netherlands at U17, U18 and U19 levels, winning the 2025 UEFA U19 Championship.
Contract runs until mid‑2028, giving Volendam a window to sell or extend. Rumours: a few mid‑table Eredivisie clubs have shown interest, but no concrete offers have surfaced. No release clause is publicly listed. Given his age, height and international pedigree, a move to a larger Dutch side or a lower‑tier English club could materialise if he improves his pace and distribution.
Heart of Midlothian are linked with a move for Dutch right‑back Precious Ugwu of FC Volendam. His contract runs to 30 June 2028.