| James Igbekeme | |
| Full Name: | James Omonigho Igbekeme |
| Birth Date: | 4 July 1995 |
| Birth Place: | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Height: | 1.70 m |
| Position: | Midfielder, winger |
| Currentclub: | Wisła Kraków |
| Clubnumber: | 12 |
| Youthclubs1: | Ribeirão |
| Years1: | 2013–2015 |
| Clubs1: | Ribeirão |
| Caps1: | 43 |
| Goals1: | 2 |
| Years2: | 2015–2017 |
| Clubs2: | Oliveirense |
| Caps2: | 55 |
| Goals2: | 10 |
| Years3: | 2017–2018 |
| Clubs3: | Gil Vicente |
| Caps3: | 32 |
| Goals3: | 5 |
| Years4: | 2018–2023 |
| Clubs4: | Zaragoza |
| Caps4: | 96 |
| Goals4: | 4 |
| Years5: | 2022 |
| Clubs5: | → Columbus Crew (loan) |
| Caps5: | 23 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Years6: | 2023 |
| Clubs6: | → Wisła Kraków (loan) |
| Caps6: | 14 |
| Goals6: | 1 |
| Years7: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs7: | Ponferradina |
| Caps7: | 31 |
| Goals7: | 1 |
| Years8: | 2024– |
| Clubs8: | Wisła Kraków |
| Caps8: | 1 |
| Goals8: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 4 July 2024 |
James Omonigho Igbekeme (born 4 July 1995) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or winger for Polish I liga club Wisła Kraków.[1]
Born in Lagos, Igbekeme left his hometown at the age of 18 to join Portuguese third division side G.D. Ribeirão in the 2013–14 season.[2] In 2015, he moved to fellow league team U.D. Oliveirense.
In June 2017, Igbekeme signed for LigaPro side Gil Vicente F.C.[3] He made his professional debut on 6 August, starting and scoring the winner in a 2–1 away defeat of FC Porto B.[4]
On 28 October 2017, Igbekeme scored a brace in a 4–0 home routing of S.L. Benfica B.[5] He finished the campaign with five goals in 32 appearances, but his side eventually suffered relegation.
In June 2018, Igbekeme was transferred to Segunda División side Real Zaragoza for a reported €150,000, signing a four-year deal with the club.[6] [7] He made his debut in August on the first matchday of the season, a 2–1 home victory over Rayo Majadahonda.[8] Igbekeme scored his first goal for Los Blanquillos on 8 September against Real Oviedo.[9] On 18 June 2020, it was announced that Igbekeme had signed a contract extension, keeping him with Zaragoza until 2023.[10] Initially a regular starter, he gradually started to feature more sparingly due to injuries and loss of form.[11]
In January 2022, Igbekeme signed a contract extension and was subsequently loaned to Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew until December, with Columbus holding an option to exercise a permanent transfer.[12] [13] After completing one season stateside, his purchase option was declined and he returned to Spain. However, new Zaragoza manager Fran Escribá did not see a place for Igbekeme in the squad,[14] and sent Igbekeme on loan to Polish side Wisła Kraków in late February 2023.[15] Igbekeme would make 14 appearances and score one goal for the club.[16]
On 10 August 2023, he terminated his contract with Zaragoza and signed a contract with SD Ponferradina.[17] [18] On 12 November, Igbekeme scored a free-kick goal in his team's 1-0 win against Rayo Majadahonda.[19]
On 19 August 2024, Igbekeme re-joined Wisła Kraków, this time permanently, on a deal until the end of the season.[20]
Noted as a versatile player able to play multiple midfield positions as well as out wide on the wing, Igbekeme has described himself as a player who "works hard, enjoys putting in effort, and always likes to help the team."[21]