Remo Stars Owner Backs Odion Ighalo to Return to NPFL: “I’ll Sign Him 1,000 Times”
- Odion Ighalo expressed his desire to finish his career in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)
- Ighalo gave multiple conditions to return to the league where he started his career with Prime FC in 2005
- NPFL champions Remo Stars' owner Kunle Soname has backed the former Al-Wehda star to return home
Nigeria Premier Football League champions Remo Stars owner Honourable Kunle Soname has backed Odion Ighalo to finish his career in Nigeria.
The NPFL has witnessed the return of some Europe-based stars in recent times, including Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, who has had three spells in the league.
Source: Getty Images
Ighalo recently communicated his desire to finish his career in the Nigerian League, though he gave strong conditions, which could make his return difficult.
"I would love to play, but I have to guarantee my security, and I would have to honour what I say because it’s not just about playing,” he said as quoted by Daily Post.
He noted that an improvement in the structure and branding of the league would help it attract more foreign-based players to come and finish their careers in Nigeria.
Ighalo began his career with Prime FC (Now Osun United) and also played for Julius Berger before moving to Norwegian club Lyn in 2007.
At 36, and currently out of contract after leaving Saudi club Al-Wehda, he is considering his options for a last paycheck before retiring.
Remo Stars owner backs Ighalo’s return
NPFL champions Remo Stars owner Honourable Kunle Soname has responded to Ighalo's desire to come back and play in the Nigerian league.
“I heard that Ighalo said he still wants to come and play in the NPFL, but I'm not sure if he's still at his Saudi Arabian club,” he said on The Abu Azeez Podcast.
“But he will not be able to play because no team can afford him, except he just wants to come and contribute his own quota to the game locally.
“No club in this country can pay him. If he decides to come and play, I will sign him 1,000 times over. No striker in the NPFL is better than him right now.”
Source: Getty Images
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa and teammate Shehu Abdullahi currently play for Kano Pillars. Musa was recently named the general manager and receives no salary.
Brown Ideye, who began his career in the NPFL with Ocean Boys, recently returned to Enyimba, but left on acrimonious terms, resulting in a public fallout with the club.
Ideye lamented unpaid salaries and bonuses, and the club responded, claiming he did not repay their investment by scoring five goals.
Remo Stars owner gifts best player a car
Legit.ng previously reported that Remo Stars owner gifted the best player from last season a brand new SUV, reportedly worth about ₦30 million.
The club president also gave cash gifts to the Academy and women's team for their performances last season, a move hailed by fans as the right step towards football development in Africa.
Source: Legit.ng
