As the season in Portugal draws to an end, Portuguese giants FC Porto have communicated on the future of the six Nigerian players on their payroll, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Porto presently have six Nigerians on their payroll in Chidozie Awaziem, Mikel Agu, Chidera Eze, Fidelis Irhene, Musa Yahaya and Moses John, but only Awaziem and Yahaya are close to the first team, while John is attached to the U-18s.
The duo of Eze and Irhene are out on loan to high flying second division side Portimonense who are guarantee to gain promotion to the top tier in Portugal, while Agu has been earning rare reviews at his present loan side Vitoria Setubal.
Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal. The club have decided to terminate the contract of one of the Nigerian players at the team and replaced him with another Nigerian who is currently battling to secure his visa from the Portuguese Embassy in Abuja.
Also Awaziem, Yahaya and Agu will be given the chance to impress the technical crew of the team in pre season games, while Eze will most likely remain on loan at Portimonense or move up to the B team who are in the second division.
Overall one Nigerian player will depart the club, and will be replaced by another Nigerian, while Agu and Eze will be promoted to the first team and B team respectively.
The future of Fidelis Irhene appears to lie outside the club as he is reported to be on the wishlist of teams in Turkey and Belgium, but Porto will only sanction a loan move for him in the summer or outright sale with the option of buy back after few years.
* Daniel Martins
