Jaden Chidi Umeh (born 18 March 2008) is a Nigerian-Irish professional footballer who was born in Ireland and plays as a forward for the under-23 side of Portuguese Primeira Liga club Benfica. He is a Republic of Ireland international.
Club career Umeh started his career at Irish club Cork City. He made his senior debut against Bohemians on 3 November 2023, becoming the youngest player ever to play for Cork at the age of just 15 years and 230 days. He later became Cork City's youngest ever goal-scorer in a 1–1 draw with Wexford, aged just 16 years and 14 days.
He made 15 appearances and scoring two goals in the 2024 League of Ireland First Division. In August 2024, he signed for Portuguese club Benfica. Cork received compensation from Benfica under FIFA compensation regulations, with further future benefits based on the player's progress.
International career Born in Ireland, Umeh is of Nigerian descent. He has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-15, under-16 and under-17 level. He was named in the squad for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar in November 2025. After impressing at the U17 World Cup, Umeh received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad in March 2026.
On 5 May 2026, Umeh received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland senior team for a friendly against Grenada in Murcia, Spain, but he wasn't released by Benfica since the game fell outside of the FIFA international window. He made his senior international debut on 28 May 2026, replacing Chiedozie Ogbene from the bench in a 1–0 win over Qatar at the Aviva Stadium. The following week, he made his first start in a 1–1 draw against Canada in Montreal.
Personal life He is from Mahon, Cork. He is the brother of professional footballer Franco Umeh who plays in England for Portsmouth.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCork City2023LOI Premier Division1000–10202024LOI First Division15200–10162Total16200–20182Benfica2024–25Primeira Liga00000000002025–260000000000Total0000000000Career total162000020182
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsRepublic of Ireland202620Total20
References
External links