*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:40, 27 October 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:48, 13 October 2024 (UTC)
Born in Lagos, Nigeria,[2] Ogbene moved with his family (including two brothers and two sisters) to Ireland in 2005,[3][4] after his father got a job in the country,[5] rejecting an offer of a job in Florida in the process.[6] He grew up in the Grange area of Cork.[7] He attended Bunscoil Chríost Rí as his primary school and Coláiste Chríost Rí as his secondary school.[4] He is a supporter of Liverpool.[4]
He signed for Cork City in August 2015.[4] He won the Enda McGuill Cup with their under-19 youth team, and the 2016 FAI Cup with their senior team.[4]
He signed for fellow League of Ireland club Limerick in January 2017.[10] He was nominated three times for the League of Ireland Player of the Month award.[11]
In November 2017 he was linked with a transfer to English club Aston Villa.[12]
On 30 January 2018, Ogbene signed for English club Brentford on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[13] He made his league debut on 10 April 2018, making one further appearance that season.[14] He moved on loan to Exeter City in August 2018.[15]
On 29 August 2019, Ogbene joined League One club Rotherham United for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.[16][17] In 2019–20, he played a central role in Rotherham's promotion-winning season, being described by manager Paul Warne as "unplayable" after he helped Rotherham beat Bristol Rovers by 3–0.[7] He was injured between October 2020 and April 2021.[18]
On 3 April 2022 he scored a goal as Rotherham won the EFL Trophy in a 4–2 victory over Sutton United.[19]
In August 2024 he was linked with a transfer to newly-promoted Premier League club Ipswich Town.[22] He signed for the club later that month, on a four-year contract for an £8 million transfer fee.[23] On 26 August 2024, Ogbene tore his Achilles in a 4–3 defeat away to his old club Brentford, ruling him out for the rest of the season.[24]
International career
He was eligible to represent both Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at international level.[4] In July 2020, Ogbene approached Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny to declare his wish to play for the national team.[7] On 24 May 2021, Ogbene received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the summer friendlies against Andorra and Hungary.[25][26][27] He said he hoped to be a role model for other Irish players from a similar background.[28] He made his debut on 8 June 2021 against Hungary, becoming the first African-born player to represent the Republic of Ireland.[29] The Irish players had been booed by Hungarian fans prior to kick-off for taking the knee in a symbolic gesture against racism in the sport, which Ogbene asked UEFA to investigate.[30]