Ifeanyi Ndukwe signs until 2028

The 17-year-old youth team player is regarded as one of the most exciting Austrian centre-backs of his age group and first became champion with Austria Vienna's U16s in the past twelve months, before celebrating promotion to the 2nd division with the Young Violets a year later. The Viennese has now signed a contract with the Violets until 2028.

"I chose the Kahlenberg as a personal motif for the projection in my photos because I used to chill out there with my brother. The tranquillity that prevails there describes my character well," says 17-year-old Ifeanyi Nudkwe.

The 1.98-metre man from Brigittenau has come on in leaps and bounds: last summer he was still captain of the U16 champions, but after half a year at U18 level he was promoted to the Young Violets squad in the winter, where he promptly earned a regular place in central defence under coach Max Uhlig following the loss of Valentin Toifl. In 13 games in the Regionalliga Ost, the current ÖFB U17 team player gave more than just a sample of his talent, becoming a prudent defender who usually solved tricky situations with a dry, dry touch and impressed with his aerial supremacy.

Ndukwe has signed a contract at the Verteilerkreis until 2028 and will gradually be introduced to the first team. He will start his preparations with the professionals on 23 June and will mainly play for the Young Violets in the second division in the coming season.

Sporting director Manuel Ortlechner: "Ify has made great progress in recent months and his performances have contributed to the promotion success of our Young Violets. His physicality and calmness on the ball make him a highly sought-after profile in the centre-back position. Now he is to be carefully introduced to higher tasks and will therefore start his preparations with the team on Monday. We are particularly pleased that he has come through all of Austria Wien's youth teams and is also an excellent fit for our club in terms of character."

For the new season, Austria Wien is relying on a special visual concept for the signing photos: in keeping with the “We wear Vienna” jersey campaign, Vienna motifs personally selected by the players will be projected onto a screen. Each player chooses a unique motif. Projections with personal player photos are also used for contract extensions.