Kelechi John

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Kelechi John

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| full_name = Kelechi Christian John

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|09|7|df=y}}

| birth_place = Kaduna, Nigeria

| height = 1.91 m

| position = Centre-back

| currentclub = Portimonense

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2016

| youthclubs1 = El-Kanemi

| youthyears2 = 2017-2020

| youthclubs2 = Rio Ave

| years1 = 2020–2022

| clubs1 = Casa Pia

| caps1 = 55

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2022–2023

| clubs2 = Central Coast Mariners

| caps2 = 3

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2023

| clubs3 = B-SAD

| caps3 = 14

| goals3 = 2

| years4 = 2023–2024

| clubs4 = Oliveirense

| caps4 = 32

| goals4 = 2

| years5 = 2024–

| clubs5 = Portimonense

| caps5 = 3

| goals5 = 0

| club-update = 17 November 2024

| nationalteam-update =

}}

Kelechi John (born 7 September 1998) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Liga Portugal 2 club Portimonense.

Career

John started his career in Nigeria, before moving to Portugal and signing with Rio Ave F.C. where he played in their youth and reserve teams

=Central Coast Mariners=

John moved from Portugal to Australia and signed for the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League Men competition.,{{cite web |title=NIGERIAN UNDER-23 INTERNATIONAL KELECHI JOHN SIGNS FOR MARINERS |url=https://ccmariners.com.au/news/nigerian-under-23-international-kelechi-john-signs-for-mariners |publisher=Central Coast Mariners |access-date=6 April 2023}} becoming their sixth signing of the 2022-23 season. He made his debut for the Gosford side for their Round 2 away trip to Wellington Phoenix in a 2–2 draw.{{cite web |title=Starting Formation |url=https://keepup.com.au/a-league-men/fixtures/wellington-phoenix-vs-central-coast-mariners-16-10-2022/?tab=squads |publisher=Keep Up |access-date=6 April 2023}}

After suffering an re-occurring injury and struggling to return to the first team due to excellent performances from his injury replacement Brian Kaltak, the Mariners agreed to sell him to B-SAD in the Liga Portugal 2 for an undisclosed amount.{{cite web |title=KELECHI JOHN DEPARTS THE CENTRAL COAST FOR PORTUGAL |url=https://ccmariners.com.au/news/kelechi-john-departs-the-central-coast-for-portugal |publisher=Central Coast Mariners |access-date=6 April 2023}}

On 11 July 2023 Liga Portugal 2's Oliveirense announced the signing of John for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |date=11 July 2023 |title=Kelechi oficializado como reforço da UD Oliveirense |trans-title=Kelechi officialized as reinforcement by UD Oliveirense |url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/2--liga/ud-oliveirense/detalhe/kelechi-oficializado-como-reforco-da-ud-oliveirense |access-date=13 July 2023 |publisher=Record |language=pt-PT}}

International career

John has been called up to represent the Nigerian U-23s.{{cite web |last1=Comito |first1=Matt |title=Mariners sign Nigerian U23 international with ‘big ambitions’ |url=https://keepup.com.au/news/mariners-sign-nigerian-u23-international-with-big-ambitions/ |publisher=Keep Up |access-date=6 April 2023}}