Newly promoted Turkish Super Lig side Kocaelispor are closing in on a deal to sign Nigerian striker David Okereke, following a productive loan spell at Gaziantep FK, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old forward spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan from Serie A outfit Cremonese, where he impressed with nine league goals and three assists — the highest tally at Gaziantep. His performances played a key role in the club’s successful bid to avoid relegation, securing a 12th-place finish.
Okereke made headlines in December when he scored a crucial first-half equaliser against Fenerbahce at the Ulker Stadium.
That goal etched his name into the history books as the first Nigerian player to score against José Mourinho’s teams while representing three different clubs — Venezia, Cremonese, and now Gaziantep.
The Nigerian’s ability to consistently find the net against Mourinho’s sides has reportedly earned him a reputation as a player the Portuguese tactician prefers to avoid.
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Super Lig newboys Kocaelispor set to sign Nigeria’s David Okereke
While Gaziantep had the option to make his loan deal permanent, reports in Turkey suggest they have not acted on that clause.
Instead, Kocaelispor have emerged as front-runners and are said to have reached a verbal agreement with Okereke ahead of a final round of talks scheduled for Monday, as per DemokratKocaeli.
Kocaelispor are eager to strengthen their squad ahead of their top-flight return and are reportedly seeking to recruit at least one player in every department. The club sees Okereke as a key figure to lead their line.
The player’s transfer fee remains with Cremonese, meaning a formal agreement with the Italian club will be necessary to complete the deal.
Okereke, who joined Cremonese for €2.50 million in 2022, is currently valued at €2.20 million by Transfermarkt.