Former Nigeria U17 star Umar Abubakar has explained the reason behind his decision to snub the chance to join fellow Belgium side Anderlecht from Gent, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Voted as the best player for the B team of the Belgium side after scoring 21 goals in 27 games he was surprisingly not offered fresh terms when his deal at the club expired.
They made a u-turn and offered him fresh terms but around that time it was too late as his representative were already neck deep in negotiations with Portuguese side Famalicão, who beat away competitions from a host of side notably Anderlecht for his signing.
His representative Mohammed Labeeb explained that it was the promise of first team football, that made the move to Portugal the best option for the 19 year old who is already looking forward to making a mark at the club.
” After his performances last season we asked for a pathway to the first team at Gent and it wasn’t forthcoming. There was a push by Anderlecht but they were also not providing any guarantee on his first team chances. So the decision to move to Famalicão even though he could have made more money elsewhere”, Labeeb told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
Abubakar also mentioned the same reason in an interview with the official website of the Portuguese side, while announcing his four year deal from Footwork Football Academy of Nigeria.
“I’m very happy to have signed for Futebol Clube de Famalicão. I know it’s a good team, made up of good players, some of whom are very young, and led by a strong coaching staff,” he began, praising the fact that “it’s a club that has had good championships in Portuguese football and has the ability to provide top-notch conditions for its players to enhance their quality.”
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
