Connect with us

Sports

Why I rejected Arsenal for Wolfsburg –Osimhen

Published

on

In from Ripples Nigeria

Nigeria youth sensation, Victor Osimhen, has revealed why he dumped Premier League club, Arsenal, for German side Wolfsburg.

Osimhen, who emerged as the highest goal scorer with 10 goals as Nigeria successfully defended the FIFA U-17 World Cup in October 2015 in Chile, opted for Wolfsburg despite offers from Arsenal, Tottenham and Anderlecht.

“It’s true that a big team like Arsenal wanted me and I feel honoured to be invited over. But personally, I feel Wolfsburg is a ladder for me to reach my professional goals,” Osimhen told BBC Sport.

“Yes Arsenal is a good team for young players but Wolfsburg is the best club for me. This the best place for me to learn and develop because my heart is here with Wolfsburg.

“The club’s plan for my career is very encouraging and I believe with God on my side, I can grow to become one of the best players in the world,” he added.

The 2015 CAF Youth Player of the Year, who was part of the Nigeria side that won the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, will continue to train with the club as their guest following a co-operation agreement between Wolfsburg and Lagos-based Ultimate Strikers Academy as he will only be eligible to sign a professional contract until he turns 18, on 29 December, 2016.

“I have my father [Patrick Osimhen] and brother [Andrew] with me here in Germany to guide me in the right path.

“The academy has also benefited and I am happy that the partnership will also encourage other young players from our academy to work harder.

“This is a big step for my football, family and the academy. All I can do now is to continue to work hard as a footballer.”

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now