Kelechi Nwakali: Super Eagles midfielder joins Porto on loan

Kelechi Nwakali has joined Porto on loan from Arsenal till the end of the season.

Super Eagles midfielder Kelechi Nwakali has joined Portuguese Primeira Liga champions FC Porto on a loan deal from Premier League outfit Arsenal on Wednesday, July 19.

Porto were linked with the signature of the young Nigerian just before he signed for MVV Maastricht in the winter transfer window.

The 20-year-old has finally joined the Portuguese side with an option to buy but will feature for the second team.

In an interview on Porto’s official website, Kelechi stated that he is delighted to have made the move and is looking forward to developing and after missing out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he hopes to build up his game at Porto.

He said, ''My main goal is to develop and evolve as a player, improve my qualities and the other aspects that I know I need to correct to grow in the way I play.

''I think FC Porto is the right place to evolve as a player. There are good players, young people, and I think I'll grow up here. I hope everything good from FC Porto. "

Asides developing his game with the Portuguese giants, Nwakali stated that he is also a huge fan of former player Deco.

He said, "I know FC Porto very well because one of my idols in football played here: Deco.

''I loved to watch him play and I really enjoyed one day being able to meet him and tell him the importance he had in my desire to be a football player.''

 

Nwakali captained the Golden Eaglets to victory at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2015 and was signed by Arsenal before his loan to VVV Venlo and MVV Maastricht.

Nwakali who is regarded as the heir to Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi will hope that his loan move is successful and get a call-up for Nigeria’s upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.