IKENWA NNABUOGOR predicts Galatasaray surprise signing Jesse Sekidika will not only burst nets for the multiple Turkish kings, but will go on to greater things..
News emerged recently from the Turkish media that Galatasaray were interested in signing little known Nigerian striker Jesse Sekidika, but true to hype, the Port Harcourt-born player signed the dotted lines for the record champions.
Sekidika, 23, even caught the eye of Gala supporters who put up a YouTube video a week before his signing to show why Gala ought to sign the exciting striker.
Their wish was granted when on Wednesday, January 7, 2020, Sekidika completed his transfer from Turkish second tier side Eskisehirspor on a surprise short deal that he will see him through June 2020.
Details of the deal brokered by Istanbul-based Nigerian agent Segun remained sketchy and it was unclear why he penned the contract that tied him to the perennial champions only till June 2020.
Sekidika’s romance with Gala, last season’s double champions that handed him the number 28 jersey began on a sweet note, as he provided the assist that fired Gala to a 3-1 victory against Altay in a friendly Friday.
He could still be seen in another friendly this evening against Adana Demirspor and may be ultimately thrown into winter break opener against Denizlispor next Friday.
Sekidika arrived at same time erstwhile Gala poster boy Henry Onyekuru retraced his steps from Monaco on a loan deal for the rest of the season to salvage what is left of a season he struggled to impress at the French Municipality side.
Both Nigerians are expected to form a telepathic partnership in the attack should they nod ahead of the retinue of marksmen, including aging Colombian striker Radamel Falcao.
Sekidika did not arrive Turk Telekom Stadium to make up the numbers as he’s set to wrestle a shirt from the army of Gala strikers numbering eight.
It remains to be seen if the Port Harcourt-born marksman will if he will replicate his smoking Eskirhispor form that saw him among the leading scorers in the Turkish second-tier league.
Relatively unknown back home, Sekidika sure has a lot going for him and his Gala sojourn will definitely open more doors for him for bigger things to come.
Had British Work Permit not stood in his way, Sekidika would have long established himself at Manchester United who tried to lure him from the famed British soccer academy, Leicestershire-based Brookehouse College.
He was also on trials at Stoke City after impressing at the Keele Cup whilst at Brookehouse College in 2013, which also attracted Manchester United.
Short stints in Portugal at AD Oerias and the youth team of Benfica opened his professional soccer doors in Serbia for FK Napredak Krusevac.
His goals fired the club to the Serbian top flight. One more season at Napredak before he switched to Turkey to sign for Eskisehirspor.
Though lacking in inches, Sekidika is a defenders’ nightmare, keeping them busy with his trickery, lightening turn of pace and incredible sense that saw him emerge top scorer for the one and half season he spent at Eskisehirspor.
He will surely swell the options for Super Eagles’ coach Gernot Rohr in the Eagles’ team as he is a potential addition to the attacking line of the three-time African champions.
In truth, Sekidika is surely on course for bigger things as it won’t be surprising if he attracts bigger spenders like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
