Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi is a Nigerian international footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for the national team and for Leicester City, an English Premier League (EPL) club. Since he started playing regular footballer, Ndidi has become an integral part of his club and country's teams.
There are many interesting unknown facts about Wilfred Ndidi that you will discover reading this biography. But before we continue, below, you will find a summary of those facts.
Wilfred first came into prominence when he was drafted into the U-17 national team squad the Golden Eaglets in 2012. He was later cut from the final selection of the junior squad that went on to win the U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates the following year. Despite his omission, the young man's eye-catching performances with the cadet team got noticed, and he was quickly drafted into the squad of the Nigerian under 20s for the World Cup hosted by Turkey in 2013. His impressive display at the U-20 World Cup caught the eye of senior national team selectors, and It didn't take too long for Ndidi to earn his first cap for the Super Eagles. His debut came against the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 8th, 2015, which Nigeria lost 2-0.
Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi Biography
Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Leicester City and the Nigeria national team as a midfielder. He is known for his versatility and can play across the back line and in midfield.Wilfred Onyinye Ndidi is a 23-year-old Nigerian International football player. He currently plays for English Premier League side Leicester City FC. He features mainly as a defensive midfielder, who is known for his tackling ability, interceptions, and energetic play.
He was born on December 16, 1996 in Lagos where he spent his youth years at Nath Boys Academy in Lagos where he won numerous accolades. As a football player, Ndid started out as a forward or striker. He then began to play as a central defender for Nigeria's youth teams and at the 2013 African U-17 Championship.
Wilfred Ndidi father
Theo van Vlierden.
That name has been posted all over the internet as Ndidi's father.
The truth is, Theo and Marleen van Vlierden are only Ndidi's foster parents who took him in at the age of seventeen when he first arrived in Belgium at the beginning of January 2014 for his two-month test period with KRC Genk.
He stayed with them until his departure for Leicester City 18 months later.
Ndidi has been able to craftily dodged not mentioning his biological parents names. The best we hear is him being referred to as Ndidi senior.
Why?
Obviously because of the way his father, a military man, treated him when he was growing as a child.
Back in those days in Lagos, his father was apparently very strict beating his now famous son on occasion for disobedience with a 'Koboko', a cow skin, leaving the youngster in pain and uncomfortable for days.
According to Ndidi, his military dad didn't like the idea of him playing football, and did everything to stop him. However he fought for his passion and got the breakthrough we are all aware of now.
He was able to get his trader mother to assist in washing his kits and that went on until Nath Boys FC came calling, then Genk and afterwards, Leicester City.
To buttress what I said earlier, there's an image of Ndidi's mother online but not his father's. See the photo below:
Ndidi was born as the first child and only son of three kids, the other two siblings are apparently his sisters.
What is the market value of Wilfred Ndidi?
According to Transfermarkt, Ndidi's current market value as of April 8, 2020, stands at €36.00m, rising from less than €5.00m as far back as 2016 when he was still at Genk.
With a market value of €36.00m, the Super Eagles star is ranked number 48 among all players worldwide playing as "Midfielder" and ranked number 11 among all players worldwide playing as "Defensive Midfield".
And you know what's even more interesting? That market value ranks him number one among all footballers from Nigeria.
Man, this guy is rich!
Is Wilfred Ndidi married?
Oh yes, he is. Sorry to disappoint you ladies.
In the year 2019 some time in May, Ndidi married his girlfriend of five years Dinma Fortune in a traditional and white wedding ceremony in Abuja.
The traditional ceremony held on Wednesday, May 23 at the Ibeto Hotel event centre at the Gudu District of Abuja.
While on Saturday, May 25, their white wedding was conducted with a church service at the National Ecumenical Centre in the central business district in Abuja and ended with a reception at the Pitchvine Marquee Wedding and Event Centre at the Cadastral Zone in Wuye, all in Abuja.
Ndidi's childhood friend Collins Igbobi was his best man while his groomsmen ranged from Iheanacho, yes, the almost forgotten Super Eagles striker and Leicester teammate.
Others were Israel Adelaja who is the CEO of Cretentive Media, England-based Nigerian musician EBS, Don Daniel, a friend who is based in England, Chris, another friend who is based in Belgium and Mr Theo, also a very good friend of Ndidi.
Super Eagles legend Kanu Nwankwo and several Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials were also in attendance.
I see people ask for Wilfred Ndidi real age? I don't know, is there a fake age?
Ndidi was born on the 16th of December, 1996 in Lagos State which makes him 23 years old.
Wilfred Ndidi Net Worth
Lots of figures are being bandied about on the internet claiming to peg the player's net worth at some ridiculous amount.
As of now, there is no confirmed figure as to what Ndidi's true worth is.
But if I'm to follow a confirmed close source, Ndidi's net worth in 2020 can safely be put at 30.3 Million Euro (25 Million Pound).
Before I delve into Wilfred Ndidi weekly wages, I need to let you know that the defensive midfielder signed a 6 year/£23,400,000 contract with Leicester City, including an annual average salary of £3,900,000.
According to Spotrac, every month till his contract expires in 2024 when he'll become a free agent, Ndidi will earn a base salary of £3,900,000, while carrying a cap hit of £3,900,000.
I have broken down the numbers. In other words, he earns £10,554 per day and £440 per hour!
Fear cash you?See the table below to understand what I mean.
To earn what Ndidi earns in just one month, the average Naija guy who earns N50,000 will need to come back to this world about four times!
Wilfred Ndidi Honours and awards
2017 - Leicester City Young Player of the Year award
2019 - Bronze medalist at AFCON 2019
2019 - The Ballers Awards (Best Nigerian Footballer)
Ndidi's social media handles
Instagram @Ndidi25 and Twitter @Ndidi25.
