Osi Umenyiora is the homecoming king in London. But what happened to the British accent? The British Press seems infatuated with Osi Umenyiora. This is a homecoming of sorts for the Giants defensive end, who was born in Golders Green, North London and lived there until the age of 7 when his family moved back to its native Nigeria. Playing off the name of Dolphins quarterback Cleo Leoman, one local tabloid quoted Umenyiora as saying: âGimme some Fish ân Chips then Iâll put the squeeze on you, Lemon.â Cute.
Umenyiora, who has a love-hate relationship with the American press, wasnât very sentimental about returning to London for the first time when he spoke to U.S. writers earlier in the week. But he turned on the charm when he arrived in London.
âWhen I was in the playground as a youngster, it was all about Wembley Stadium and playing there,â he told the British press on Friday. âNow itâs a different kind of football Iâm going to be playing.
âBack then I was purely into soccer. Iâve always been a big Manchester United fan. Never was an Arsenal fan, even though itâs closer to where I grew up.â
Later he added: âThe fans should get prepared for me coming back. Itâs kind of like the whole David Beckham thing. He came over here. Iâm coming back to London.â
Umenyiora will have about 25-30 family members at the game, including his mother who will be watching him in person for the first time.