Super Eagles World Cup star set to join Turkish club after nine-year stint in Italy
Simy Nwankwo and his Super Eagles teammates celebrating a goal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup (Photo by Imago)
The Super Eagles star has spent the last nine years playing in Italy, but he is set for a fresh challenge
Super Eagles striker Simy Nwankwo is closing in on a transfer to Turkish Lig 1. club Sakaryaspor, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nwankwo is currently a free agent, as his contract at Serie B club Salernitana expired at the end of last season.
This is the first time that he will be clubless since he left the Portuguese league and started plying his trade in Italy.
Simy Nwankwo for US Salernitana 1919 (Photo by Imago)
Before now, Nwankwo had stints at Benevento, Crotone, and Parma. In fact, it was during one of those stints that the 33-year-old striker played his best football and even got a called up to the Super Eagles.
He was part of Nigeria’s squad to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He was second choice to Odion Ighalo at the time.
However, Nwankwo failed to impress in his four caps for Nigeria and has not been called up since the August 2018.
In the meantime, the former Portimonense man is close to joining a new club after exiting Salernitana.
Former Salernitana Super Eagles forward Simy Nwankwo challenges for the ball with Sassuolo forward Agustin Alvarez during a Serie A match (Photo by Imago)
According to a report from Turkish journalist, Erhan Kaytanbay, Nwankwo and Sakaryaspor are in negotiations for a transfer, and the deal might just happen soon.
Sakaryaspor play in the second division of Turkish football. They gained promotion to second division three years ago, and have managed 5th, 3rd, and 13th place finishes since then.
If Nwankwo joins the club, he will become the first Super Eagles player to sign for them. Sakaryaspor will hope that Nwankwo will be their x-factor in their push for Super Lig football next season.
Kelvin Omachonu
Kelvin Omachonu is a writer with many years of experience covering sports events in Nigeria and abroad. He is fueled by his love for the job, and is dedicated to delivering captivating stories.
