Nigerian XI of players who moved to new clubs this summer including two Arsenal youngsters:: All Nigeria Soccer
Nigerian XI of players who moved to new clubs this summer including two Arsenal youngsters
All Nigeria Soccer’s Izuchukwu Michael in this piece runs the rule on the eleven players who have signed for new clubs in the current transfer window.
The lineup consists of players who have either played for Nigeria and those still eligible to lay for the Super Eagles.
Goalkeeper
Arthur Okonkwo (Arsenal to Crewe Alexandra) : Arsenal let young Anglo-Nigerian join League Two side, Crewe Alexandra on a season long loan.
Okonkwo was looking forward to becoming a part of the first team at the Emirates with the expected departure of Bernd Leno.
Leno has indeed left the Gunners in a permanent move to Fulham but rather than put faith in the Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper Mikel Arteta and transfer chief Edu completed the move for Matt Turner from the MLS.
Defenders
Tyronne Ebuehi (Benfica to Empoli) : Super Eagles right back Tyrone Ebuehi moved to Serie A side, Empoli this summer from Benfica.
The right back played for Venezia on loan last season.
Jamilu Collins (Paderborn to Cardiff City) : Super Eagles left back Collins signed for Championship side Cardiff City from German Bundesliga 2 side Paderborn in the beginning of the transfer window.
In the opening game of the new season last weekend, the Nigerian who turns 28 years on Friday, August 5 was voted as Man of the Match in the game against Norwich City in which he played for 90 minutes.
Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista to Hajduk Split) : The career of Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem has been nomadic of sorts.
Awaziem had played for Boavista in the Portuguese league and also had stints at FC Porto and Turkish Super Lig side, Alanyanspor.
The former Porto centre-back has joined Croatian side Hajduk Split on a season long loan.
Calvin Bassey (Rangers to Ajax Amsterdam) : Slotting in on the left side of central defence is Ajax new boy Calvin Bassey.
The latest Nigeria international to play for the Dutch giants after the exploits of Finidi George, Nwankwo Kanu, Sunday Oliseh, Tijani Babangida and Pius Ikedia, Bassey’s transfer to the team from Glasgow Rangers was completed two weeks ago from the time of this article.
Bassey who was sent off in his first competitive game for Ajax over the weekend wears the jersey number 33 for his new club.
Midfielders
Joe Aribo (Rangers to Southampton) : Former Glasgow Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo completed a £10m move to Southampton this summer.
Aribo has started to make his impact felt as he scored a brilliant individual goal in a preseason friendly recently.
Alhassan Ibrahim (Nacional to Beerschot V.A.) : Former Akwa United midfielder Alhassan Ibrahim signed for Belgian Pro League side Beerschot this summer.
Ibrahim who has been capped twice by Nigeria last played for Portuguese Primeira Liga side, CD Nacional.
Strikers
Folarin Balogun (Arsenal to Reims) : Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has been unveiled by French Ligue 1 side Reims ahead of the start of the 2022/2023 season.
The striker, who is eligible to play for Nigeria through his parents as well as USA, has joined the six-time French champions on a season long loan without an option to buy.
Junior Ajayi (Al-Nasr Benghazi to Smouha, Egypt) : Former Nigeria youth international Junior Ajayi has joined Egypt Premier League side Smouha from Al Ahly.
Ajayi offers pace and trickery from the flanks albeit he is yet to have his career blossom to the heights expected by his fans.
Boniface Victor (Bodo/Glimt to Union SG) : Boniface has switched to last season’s surprise package in the Belgian Pro League Union SG on a 4+1 year deal and will play with the number 7 kit.
Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba to MC Alger) : Former Enyimba striker Victor Mbaoma has called time on his career at the club after a productive season that saw him score 16 league goals in the Nigeria Professional Football League campaign last season.
The striker is expected to also be prolific as he was in the NPFL for MC Alger.
Izuchukwu Michael
Photo Credit : stade-de-reims.com
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