Out of favour Nigeria international defender Tyronne Ebuehi made a huge financial sacrifice in order to complete a permanent move to Italian Serie A side Empoli from Portuguese giants Benfica.
26 year old Ebuehi hasn’t find it easy since picking up an injury in pre season, few weeks after he resumed training with Benfica following his signing from Dutch side ADO Den Haag.
He spent close to two years on the treatment table, dropped a level to the U23s in order to build his fitness and confidence level. Last season where he was on loan to Venezia was his first injury free season in three years.
Venezia were relegated at the end of the season and but he already made a huge impression on coach Paolo Zanetti who is now at Empoli. The coach immediately beckoned on him to join him at his new base.
However the issue of a transfer fee was proving too difficult to navigate with Benfica still having him on their books for one more year and not willing to let him leave for free. The dilemma forced Ebuehi into forfeiting his salary for the remaining one year of his deal.
His decision made it possible for him to move on a free as his contract was terminated. He will join Empoli on a deal for the next four years hoping to work his way back to the level that made him one of the stars for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
