The recent transfer of William Troost-Ekong to newly promoted Saudi Arabia side Al Khaloood has opened the floodgates for many players of the senior national team of Nigeria to move to the high paying league, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Ekong joined the Saudi Arabia outfit shunning the prospect of playing in the UEFA Champions League with Greek side PAOK , who emerged as champions with the 30 year old a key part of their conquest.
His departure according to Remi Salako a young Nigerian football agent in the Gulf region is the first of four transfers that could involve players of the senior national team of Nigeria moving to Saudi Arabia.
” Ekong is the first but I believe you have heard about Victor Osimhen to Al Ahli because it’s in the news here as something that is expected to happen. Ademola Lookman is another who have been mentioned here the past six months, then there is Frank Onyedika but that is complicated because of his agent who wants him in Europe still. Then there is Stanley Nwabali but highly unlikely”, Salako told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
Speaking further he said beyond the huge salary which has been touted as the major reason behind the move to Saudi Arabia by most players, there is also another catch which is the cost of living plus the luxury lifestyle that playing in the Saudi Premier League offers these players.
” Odion Ighlao is a king here and I don’t think he is leaving anytime soon. Henry Onyekuru is here as we speak so also Saviour Godwin and they are doing really well. Living the life that footballers cherish at almost zero or no cost at all. The league can’t be said to be that competitive in all fairness but the other packages that comes bar salary is too good to resist”, he concluded.
