Frank Onyeka Biography: Parents, Net Worth, Age, Height, Salary, Wife, Kids, Club, Tribe, State of Origin

Biography

Frank Onyeka, full name Ogochukwu Franklin Onyeka (born January 1, 1998), is a Nigerian professional footballer known for his energetic style and tenacity in midfield—earning him the nickname “Frank the Tank.”

Hailing from Benin City, Nigeria, he began his career in local academies before joining FC Ebedei (Midtjylland’s African partner club). He moved to Danish side FC Midtjylland in 2015, where he made his debut in 2017, won the Danish Superliga title twice (2017/18 and 2019/20), and featured in the UEFA Champions League.

In July 2021, Onyeka transferred to Premier League club Brentford for their first top-flight season in decades. He has since established himself as a reliable defensive/central midfielder (wearing No. 15), making over 75 appearances for the Bees as of 2026, with his contract running until 2027.

A full international for Nigeria since 2020, he represents the Super Eagles and holds the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) honor. Standing at 1.83m and right-footed, Onyeka is recognized for his versatility, pressing, and work rate in midfield.

Nigerian footballer
Frank Onyeka
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Ogochukwu Franklin Onyeka
Stage Name:	Frank Onyeka
Born:	1 January 1998 (age 28 years old)
Place of Birth:	Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
State Of Origin:	Edo State
Nationality:	Nigerian
Education:	Faith Motors Academy
Height:	1.83 m
Parents:	Chukwudi Onyeka, Ngozi Onyeka
Siblings:	4
Spouse:	Mesoma Akaolisa (m. 2024)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	1
Occupation:	Footballer
Net Worth:	$13 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Frank Onyeka was born Ogochukwu Franklin Onyeka on January 1, 1998, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Growing up in a modest rented home in Benin City, the second-oldest of five siblings, he was raised by his parents, Mr. Chukwudi Onyeka and Mrs. Ngozi Onyeka, in a close-knit family environment where education was strongly emphasized.

His mother, Ngozi, initially opposed his passion for football, often scolding him and his brothers for prioritizing street games over studies, as she feared the slim chances of success in the sport and wanted a more secure future for her children. Over time, she became his biggest supporter, deeply grateful for his achievements.

His father, Chukwudi, provided quiet encouragement amid the household’s everyday challenges. With his Igbo surname, Onyeka, and first name, Ogochukwu (meaning “God’s time” in Igbo), he reflects his Igbo ethnicity, common in many Nigerian families even beyond core Igbo heartlands. Onyeka is a devout Christian who often incorporates Bible verses into his pre-match rituals.

His childhood revolved around barefoot street football on concrete pitches in Benin City, where he trekked long distances to training and faced discouragement from peers urging him to quit. He balanced play with chores like helping mend roofs after school. Formal education details remain limited in public records, as his focus quickly shifted to football after joining local side Faith Motors Academy as a teenager.

Career

Frank Onyeka started his football career as a teenager in Benin City, Nigeria, where Churchill Oliseh, the brother of former Nigeria star Sunday Oliseh, spotted him playing for the Faith Motors academy. In 2013, he moved to FC Ebedei, a Danish third-division club owned by Oliseh and linked to FC Midtjylland’s African talent program.

After a successful trial in late 2015, Onyeka signed an 18-month contract with FC Midtjylland in Denmark. He worked his way up through their youth teams and made his senior debut in September 2017. Known for his versatility and work ethic, he played in several positions, including centre-back, midfield, and even forward, helping Midtjylland win the Danish Superliga in 2017/18.

Between 2017 and 2021, he played about 95 league games, scored 14 goals, and appeared in the UEFA Champions League, including a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in 2020. He also won the Danish Cup in 2021. In July 2021, Onyeka joined Premier League newcomers Brentford for a reported €10 million fee on a five-year contract, which was later extended to June 2027.

He made his debut in the 2021/22 season opener, helping Brentford beat Arsenal 2-0. Fans know him for his energy, pressing, and box-to-box play, which earned him the nickname “Frank the Tank.” By early 2026, he had played over 75 Premier League matches for Brentford, scoring once and providing several assists, along with appearances in cup competitions.

To get more playing time, he spent the 2024/25 season on loan at FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, where he played 31 league games (34 in total) and made 3 assists. Onyeka made his first appearance for Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, in September 2020 in a friendly against Tunisia.

Since then, he has become a regular, earning over 40 caps and scoring 3 goals by 2026. His international highlights include playing in the 2021 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, he scored a last-minute winner against the Benin Republic in October 2025 to send Nigeria to the CAF play-offs, but the team missed out on qualification after losing to DR Congo in a penalty shootout in November 2025.

He also played in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Currently, Onyeka is still with Brentford, wearing number 15, and continues to contribute in the 2025/26 Premier League season, mostly as a substitute, including providing an assist.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Frank Onyeka
• Instagram: OGOCHUKWU FRANK ONYEKA (M.O.N) (@_frankonyeka)
• Twitter: Ogochukwu Frank Onyeka (@_FrankOnyeka) / X

Personal Life

Frank Onyeka is 28 years old, having been born on January 1, 1998, in Benin City, Nigeria.

He stands at 1.83 meters (6 feet 0 inches) tall, with a lean, athletic build suited to his energetic midfield role.

Onyeka is married to Mesoma Onyeka (nee Akaolisa or Mmesoma Akaolisa), having wed in an intimate ceremony around late 2023 or early 2024—his wife shared glimpses of the wedding on social media in January 2024.

The couple maintains a relatively private personal life, though Onyeka occasionally posts affectionate tributes, such as a heartfelt birthday message to his “incredible wife and loving mother” in May 2025, accompanied by family photos.

They have at least one child—a son—who is featured in images from his wife’s birthday and a family vacation in June 2025, during which Onyeka was seen enjoying time with his wife and young son.

Net Worth

Frank Onyeka‘s net worth is estimated at around £10 million (approximately $13 million USD) as of early 2026, according to reliable salary-tracking sources.

This figure accounts for his career earnings from professional contracts, primarily since joining Brentford in 2021, along with prior stints at FC Midtjylland, endorsements, and other income streams—though exact personal assets, investments, or endorsements remain private.

His current salary at Brentford FC stands at £40,000 per week (gross), equating to an annual base salary of £2,080,000 (about $2.7 million USD) for the 2025/26 Premier League season. This is under his contract extension signed in 2023, which runs until June 2027.

During his 2024/25 loan spell at FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, he continued to earn his Brentford salary (the loan reportedly being free), making him one of the highest-paid Nigerians in that league at the time. These figures exclude potential performance bonuses, image rights, or additional incentives common in football contracts.

Onyeka‘s earnings reflect his status as a solid Premier League squad player with international experience, though he is not among Brentford’s top earners.

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