Ike Ugbo has given the main reason he chose to join Genk despite interest from several other big clubs across Europe.
At Genk Ugbo will be a direct rival of fellow Nigeria striker Paul Onuachu and he has said he believes the Belgian club can polish him to move to a bigger league.
The competition has already started in earnest after he replaced Onuachu to score the match winner against Anderlecht.
The young Chelsea striker shone on loan at Cercle Brugge last season.
He told Sport/Voetbalmagazine the reason for his choice of Genk.
“Definitely because of the players they have developed here in the past,” he explained.
“At the end of last season I already spoke with the club and they had a clear plan with me. There was interest from other teams, but I felt that I was here I could get what I need at this point in my career. For me it was all about the plan.”
In his first season at Genk Ugbo will have to battle Onuachu for first-team place and when the giant striker quits the club, he could then put himself in the spotlight for a big transfer also.
The confidence within the club on the young striker is already high. For example, Ugbo was immediately preferred to another Nigeria striker, Cyriel Dessers, who in the meantime has been loaned out to Feyenoord to get more game time.
