Chituru Odunze is a 6-foot-8 goalkeeper that – until recently – was one of the can’t miss talents at the youth level in Canada. Born in North Carolina Chituru moved with his family to England at a young age where he spent his early years playing at the Chelsea Academy. His time in England was successful and by all accounts and he was headed to continue his youth career at the highest levels, but when he was 11 years old Chituru and his family moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Despite moving away from one of the footballing capitals of the world, Odunze was able to continue impressing scouts in Europe. When he was just fourteen years old, Chituru was given a chance to train with Cardiff city’s first team during a trial. Though that trail would of course have a huge positive impact on his career, it was with local clubs Calgary Blizzards, Foothills FC, Calgary Villians, where he impressed enough to get that trial, and eventually to join, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Youth setup. Once there it took only 19 appearances with the Vancouver side, and some youth appearances for the United States, to earn a trip back across the Atlantic and a trial with Leicester City.
Odunze has managed to stick with the club and is playing in their youth teams while getting opportunities to train with the first team. An interesting journey to be certain but what still remains unclear is maybe the most intriguing part of the story. There is no doubt in my mind that one day will see Odunze’s presence in goal during a World Cup Finals, but for who? He is eligible to play for the United States, Canada, Nigeria, and England. Although he has made appearances for a few USA youth team sides it remains up in the air who he will play his men’s international football for, keep an eye out for this guy, he will be One To Watch whoever he plays for in 2026.