20 year old Arsenal goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri is back at Arsenal after a fairly successful one year loan where he picked up 21 clean sheets for the two clubs he played for in English non league side Chelmsford City and Finnish side SJK Seinajoki.
Ejeheri had impressed on that initial loan to Chelmsford, keeping 12 clean sheets in 25 appearances. He even earned a reputation as a bit of a penalty-save specialist, after keeping out two spot-kicks in two games.
But the loan to the National League South (the English sixth tier) could only take the goalkeeper so far, and the chance to step up to the Finnish first tier in January was one Arsenal and Ejeheri weren’t keen to turn down.
Things went well for Ejeheri at SJK, as he kept nine clean sheets in 18 competitive appearances for the team. Taking his clean sheets total for last season to 21. A remarkable tally who only got his first taste of professional football last season.
Called up to the Nigeria U20 team ahead of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Ejeheri said he turned down the invitation not because he isn’t keen on playing for Nigeria but because it coincides with when he agreed to a loan move to Finnish side SJK.
However with the kind of season he enjoyed in Finland, his sight will no doubt be on the senior national team of Nigeria, although that too is dependent on his next career move with reports swirling that he will head out on another loan deal.
Osas Mahawi
