Early Life and APS Attack
Umar Nawaz was born on 27 September 2007 in Peshawar, Pakistan. Unlike what is often mistakenly reported, Umar was not inside the Army Public School (APS) during the terrorist attack on 16 December 2014. He was not present at the school on the day of the tragedy.
However, his family was directly and painfully affected. His older brother, Haris Nawaz, was martyred in the attack, and another brother, Ahmad Nawaz, survived after sustaining severe injuries. In the aftermath, the family often shared that young Umar—only six years old at the time—was deeply traumatized by the loss of his brother and the horror surrounding the event. He became fearful and struggled emotionally, especially with sleeping alone.
Move to the UK and Grassroots Football
In early 2015, Umar and his family moved to the United Kingdom. After settling in England, Umar continued his education and began playing football locally at a very young age. He “came up through the grassroots in England,” developing his skills in youth leagues. Umar began playing football in the UK at the age of six. He first joined Bournville Academy, a community-based football club in Birmingham, through his friend Zack, whose father, Scott Hamilton, was one of the coaches. Scott played a major role in Umar’s grassroots development, guiding him closely during his five to six years at the Academy. During this period, Umar continued to grow as a young footballer and took part in various local youth leagues, where coaches quickly noticed his raw talent, determination, and enthusiasm.
His progress earned him trial offers from several academies, including Birmingham City, Coventry City, and Hull City. Umar ultimately chose to join Coventry City F.C. During a match with Coventry, Wolves’ scouting team was impressed by his performance and offered him a two-year contract.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Academy
By 2022, Umar had impressed at the youth level and entered the academy system of Wolverhampton Wanderers (a Premier League club). He spent the 2022–2023 season with Wolves’ academy, playing as a centre-forward and scoring prolifically for their U15/U16 sides. (He netted on the order of 50 goals across two seasons at Wolves’ youth level.) His spell at Wolves honed his skills as a target striker – he is noted for his pace, dribbling and aerial ability.
Also read: Manchester City Humiliates Liverpool in Premier League
Wrexham AFC Academy (2024–present)
In July 2024, Umar Nawaz signed for Wrexham AFC’s academy, joining their under-18 (U18) squad. Wrexham, now an English Football League (League Two) club, brought him in as one of their new scholars for the 2024–25 season. He wears the number 9 and plays as a centre-forward. In the 2024–25 season with Wrexham U18s, he made his official competitive debut in the FA Youth Cup, registering 1 appearance in that competition. (He also featured regularly in non-competitive reserve and friendly matches, where he scored 8 goals in 16 outings through late 2025.) As of the 2025–26 season, Nawaz remains part of Wrexham’s Academy setup, continuing to train and play with the U18s.
First International Call up
Umar’s progress has attracted attention at the national level. In late 2025, at age 17, he earned his first call-up to the Pakistan senior national team for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifying matches. This marked a historic achievement, as he became one of the youngest Pakistan national team selections. His family and fans have celebrated this milestone, noting how he overcame the tragedy of the APS attack to reach the international stage.
Umar Nawaz’s Playing Style and Position
Umar Nawaz is a tall, strong centre-forward known for good pace, dribbling in tight spaces, and heading ability. He typically plays through the middle, leading the attack. Club and league records confirm his primary position as Centre-Forward. He is left-footed and often described as a “target man” striker who can also finish from distance. In youth games for Wrexham, he has worn the no. 9 shirt.
Umar’s journey is no ordinary rise. It is the journey of a child who walked through darkness no child should ever see… yet chose light. A boy who lost so much… yet refused to lose himself. A survivor who turned pain into purpose.
Today, when Umar ties his laces and steps onto the field, he carries more than a footballer’s ambition. He holds the echo of classrooms that fell silent. He carries the names of the friends who never got the chance to chase their dreams. He carries a nation’s hope — that its children can rise above fear, above trauma, above the limits life imposes.
Also read:
