Hong Kong striker Michael Udebuluzor's recent transfer to China League One side Suzhou Dongwu has ended abruptly, just 24 hours after the deal was announced. The termination stems from controversial comments Udebuluzor made following a match between Hong Kong and China at the East Asian Football Championship in South Korea.

After China defeated Hong Kong 1-0, Udebuluzor, addressing Hong Kong fans, used a megaphone to thank them for their support. He then made a remark about the Chinese fans using a derogatory term. The comment quickly spread on Chinese social media, drawing strong criticism and calls for the club to terminate his contract.

The controversy escalated rapidly, with many Chinese fans expressing their anger and urging Suzhou Dongwu to reconsider the signing. Some online comments even called for a ban preventing Udebuluzor from playing in mainland China.

Udebuluzor has since apologized for his remarks, stating that he did not intend to offend anyone and regretted any hurt caused to fans in China and Hong Kong. In his apology, he also pledged to donate 20-25% of his salary for the next year to help talented children pursue their football dreams.

Despite the apology, Suzhou Dongwu decided to terminate Udebuluzor's contract. The club's legal team reportedly assessed whether a clause existed that would allow them to terminate the contract without penalty, citing damage to the club's reputation, the Chinese Football Association, and the nation.

Michael Chibuikem Udebuluzor, born in Hong Kong on April 1, 2004, is a professional footballer who plays as a striker. He began his youth career with Kitchee before moving to Germany to train at the German Football Boarding School and later joining FC Ingolstadt 04. He played for Ingolstadt 04 II and made a few appearances for the first team before signing for VfR Mannheim in 2024. In July 2025, he was set to join Suzhou Dongwu before the controversial incident led to the termination of his contract.

Udebuluzor made his international debut for Hong Kong in September 2023. He has since become a member of the national team, scoring his first international goals in a match against Bhutan in October 2023.

His father, Cornelius Udebuluzor, was also a footballer who played in various countries before settling in Hong Kong. Michael has said his father has been a major influence on his career.