KK Opara

Kelechi Chrystantus "KK" Opara (born 21 December 1981) is a Nigerian former footballer who played in the Football League as a forward for Colchester United and Leyton Orient. His younger brother Lloyd was also a professional footballer.

Career

Born in Owerri, Nigeria, Opara came through the youth ranks at Colchester United where he made 19 league appearances for the club between 1998 and 2000. He made his debut for the club in a 2–1 defeat to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on the final day of the 1998–99 season, coming on as a substitute in the 81st minute for Steve Germain.

Opara was a prolific goalscorer in the United youth and reserve teams, but could not find the same form in the Colchester first-team having been pushed into the first-team early following the success of former starlet Lomana LuaLua prior to his departure to Newcastle United. He was eventually released by the club following an act of misconduct while on his weekly academic day of his scholarship with the club.

Leyton Orient picked up Opara's scholarship, paying Colchester a nominal compensation fee. He helped his team win the Youth Alliance Cup in 2001 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. making four appearances and scoring once for the former. He made six appearances for the first-team whilst with the club, before being released in 2002.

Following a trial period with Darlington during pre-season for the 2002–03 season, Opara joined Billericay on a permanent basis. He later played for a number of non-league clubs, including a return to Dagenham & Redbridge, Purfleet, Redbridge, Heybridge Swifts. He recovered from his injuries and resumed his playing career in 2004, appearing for Erith & Belvedere and Harlow Town.