Forgotten Super Eagles star once on Manchester City’s books joins Turkey’s Erokspor FC

Nigeria international forward Olanrewaju Kayode has completed a move to Turkish TFF First League club Esenler Erokspor, Soccernet.ng reports.

Kayode joins Erokspor from another Turkish TFF club, Şanlıurfaspor, a move he announced on his official Instagram page.

The 31-year-old had spent just six months with Şanlıurfaspor after arriving on a free transfer last summer.

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The former Flying Eagles forward enjoyed a productive spell at Şanlıurfaspor, scoring seven goals and registering two assists in 15 league appearances.

Upon signing his contract with Erokspor, Kayode expressed his excitement:

“As soon as I heard that Esenler Erokspor Football Club wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity for a new challenge at such a historic club.

“In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out and the role they saw for me in it. I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be an Esenler Erokspor player, and I cannot wait to walk out at the stadium wearing the shirt. I know that I’m joining the club at an important time; everyone I’ve spoken to has the same ambition for us to win together, and I can feel the determination to achieve that.”

Erokspor were promoted to the TFF First League at the end of the 2023/24 season as champions of the TFF Second League.

However, they have struggled in their new division and currently sit in the relegation zone, two points behind Kayode’s former club Şanlıurfaspor.

Kayode will aim to help Erokspor avoid relegation and secure their league status by the end of the campaign.

This move marks Kayode’s sixth stint at a Turkish club, having previously played for Gaziantep FK, Sivasspor, Ümraniyespor, Gençlerbirliği, and Şanlıurfaspor. The veteran striker has also had spells in Côte d’Ivoire, Austria, Israel, and Ukraine.

The highlight of Kayode’s career came in August 2017 when he signed for Manchester City from Austria Vienna in a €3.8 million deal.

However, he never made an appearance for the English giants, as he was loaned out to Girona immediately after signing.

Kayode also represented Nigeria at the U17 and U20 levels before earning three senior caps for the Super Eagles, the last of which came in 2017.