Ehije Ukaki (2004) - RW/LW/RWB - Botev Plovdiv (Bulgaria, Band 6) - Contract Expiry: 2026
A 20 year old winger who is an excellent ball carrier and demonstrates great speed and endurance down the wing
League One Week begins with an exciting young African talent who has landed in one of the Eastern European leagues, but is available for immediate transfer to England under the ESC legislation.
If you are new to ESC, then check out The Basics of ESC article free on this site:
The ESC will form an important part of League One Week because every single League One club have ESC slots, and they make it much easier to sign players from markets all over the world.
An in-depth study into this will be written and published later this week, including some advice as to how League One clubs should look to use their slots, if, indeed, they have them available to use.
It is still possible for League One clubs to access the full GBE market. Huddersfield demonstrated this with the signing of Ruben Roosken in January, and Barnsley have also been active in the GBE market in the past as well.
If you are a League One club who are competing with other clubs in your league who have a bigger budget or more enticing terms, then your ESC slots or your creativity in GBE signings could be the biggest difference that your recruitment team can make in raising your bar.
We begin the League One Week player recommendations with a player who will require ESC, but he plays in a Band 6 league. Again, this is something that we recommend as a good tactic to stay away from the majority of UK scouting eyes to compete with.
Biographical Details
Name: Ehije Ukaki
Age/D.o.B: 20 (02.10.2004)
Citizenship: Nigeria
Position(s): RW / LW / RWB
Club: Botev Plovdiv
Height: 177cm approx
Preferred foot: Right
TM Market Value: £500k
Contract: Expiry: 30/06/26
Status
GBE Status: Fail
ESC Status: Pass (UEFA appearances in August 2024, ESC valid until Summer 2026)
Relevant Data
AWRSS Best Role:
Wide Provider (#22 in Bulgaria)
Progressive Dribbler (#26)
False 9 (#28)
AWRSS Best Attributes:
Penalty area entries
Match Info
Observed: 22nd February 2025 vs CSKA Sofia (Bulgarian Pro League) - Hard Difficulty
Final score: 0-3
Shape: 4-2-3-1 (vs 4-1-4-1)
Brief match report: The game was heavily one sided in favour of CSKA Sofia dominating in almost every phase of play. They were able to create both a quantity and quality of chances that overwhelmed Botev Plovdiv. Botev Plovdiv heavily relied on ball progression through wide areas, whereas CSKA were successful in progressing play in all areas and had a much more effective midfield unit on the day.
Match report
Effectiveness of role
Ukaki operated as a right winger in a 4-2-3-1 system. His role on the day was to play as a traditional out and out winger and on occasion he would carry the ball infield before releasing to the attacking midfielder.
He did significantly aid his team who were poor on the day often doing so through giving them an outlet to progress play. This was usually done in transition, receiving the ball in the middle third and driving with the ball to the final third. Here he would commit multiple defenders before offloading the ball into dangerous areas in and around the box.
Physical attributes
Ukaki possesses a dynamic physical profile with fantastic all round mobility far above the level of the average winger playing in the Bulgarian first division. His low centre of gravity allows him to exploit gaps in the opposition defensive line, utilising his agility to full effect with feints making it difficult for the opposition to knock him off the ball when in full flight.
It is important to note despite this he is unlikely to be knocking bigger opponents off the ball usually being dispossessed in duels when relying solely on upper body strength. This also shows itself in his ability to contest aerial duels with bigger more physically strong opponents.
Technical skill
Ukaki was positive, bringing the ball under control in a range of situations with pressure from opposition. Either receiving the ball with momentum when making a run or static with his back to play close to the byline.
He played good one and two touch football when necessary with teammates in close proximity, both punching the ball into feet when teammates were under pressure and playing clever through balls to overlapping/underlapping players in the final third. He is heavily one footed with his favoured right foot, I fail to recount a moment he used his left even when driving infield with the ball.
Decision making under pressure
Ukaki is a brave and brazen character however this can also be a detriment, with experience his decision making can be better in possession in which areas to play and carry the ball. Furthermore which areas to keep play simple as to avoid needless turnovers.
That being said his courage to make something happen was commendable particularly on a day where the more senior players failed to impose themselves upon the game.
Psychological & Social
Ukaki is rash in his decision making, too eager to get to opponents during counter pressing sequences. This often led to him giving fouls away alleviating pressure when his opponent had a lot to do in the first third.
Any Other Business
Ukaki has experience playing as a right back and I think clubs in the EFL would be best looking at him as an option as an RWB for teams playing with a three at the back.
Verdict
Key strengths
Dynamic speed
Ball carrying
Off the ball runs
Agility
Risks to mitigate
Physical size
One footed
Defensive duels (committing and engaging too early)
Current UK level recommendation
L1 - Mid range of League One
Potential UK level recommendation
CH - Mid range of the Championship
