Peter Utaka, born in Enugu, is a professional footballer and former Nigerian national team player.
At the age of forty, he continues to impress as a striker in Japan, demonstrating that age is no barrier to success on the pitch.
“Utaka is highly respected in our country, particularly due to his long tenure in Japan’s football league,” notes Masa Sasajima, a seasoned J-League observer and sports betting expert.
Utaka began his professional career at just 16, moving to Croatia to join Dinamo Zagreb after a trial with Ismaily, where his older brother John was a notable figure. His career progressed through Belgium’s Patro Eisden Maasmechelen and KVC Westerlo, before further stints at Royal Antwerp FC, Odense BK in Denmark, and Dalian Arbin in China. He settled in Japan’s J-League in 2015 and briefly returned to Vejle BK in Denmark in 2018, only to return to Japan’s football scene.
In December 2018, Utaka made a full transfer to Ventforet Kofu, where he enjoyed a prolific season in 2019, scoring 20 goals in 40 games.
During the 2023 AFC Champions League, Utaka scored twice in a crucial final group stage match against Buriram, helping his team advance and setting a new record as the oldest player to score in the ACL, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo. This achievement, marking him at 39 years, 10 months, and 0 days, remains a little-known fact in Nigeria.
