Nigeria’s U-20 striker Victor Osimhen has signed a formal contract with German club VfL Wolfsburg, ignoring the interests of English Premiership giants Arsenal as well as Serie A sides Inter and Fiorentina.
The wonderkid had signed a pre-contract with Wolfsburg in January last year because he was just 17. Under European laws a non-European cannot sign a formal contract until the age of 18.
Osimhen, who won the Golden Ball at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, turned 18 this January and is now eligible for a full contract. He has now signed a three-and-a-half-year deal worth €3.5 million from Nigerian side Ultimate Strikers Academy.
The lanky striker feels the Bundesliga side will provide him a better opportunity to develop his talents.
"There were many clubs that were interested in me, but my choice was Wolfsburg because I think that my development opportunities are highest here," Osimhen told Bild, Germany’s leading sports newspaper.
"If I had gone to Arsenal, for example, I might not have found the route to the first team so quickly. I love football and I have worked hard to get to where I am now."
Osimhen scored 10 goals at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup to set a new record at the age-grade tournament. His goals helped Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets win an unprecedented fifth title.
The next year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) named him the best young player in Africa at an awards gala in Abuja.
Picture: Complete Sports
No comments:
Post a Comment