Former Club Brugge of Belgium midfielder, David Chidozie Okereke has linked forces with Tyronne Ebuehi at Venezia of Italy, as the Italian Serie A newcomers succeeded in sealing a deal for him at the start of the week.
Megasportsarena.com reports that Okereke, who shot to limelight while starring for Spezia of Italy some seasons back, struggled for form while at Brugge, but will now aim to make the best of his return to familiar terrain in The Land of The Azzurri.
However, it is not a full transfer, as the Nigerian under-23 national team, Olympic Eagles’ former invitee has only joined The Winged Lions on a season-long loan deal, in a similar arrangement that was also sealed earlier this summer for Ebuehi, who arrived from Benfica of Portugal.
Nonetheless, it is another career leap for the dreadlocks-wearing Okereke, who joined Brugge in the summer of 2019, becoming the Belgian Jupiler League’s record signing in history, after which he went on to score a total of 15 goals in 71 matches.
Sadly, he fell out of favour in only his second season with the team known as Blauw-Zwart, as his style did not fit into the pattern of the coach, Philippe Clement, who gave Okereke only nine starts from a possible 51 in all competitions.
That set the stage for a massive implosion from the height of Okereke’s most productive season, when he hit ten goals and 12 assists in 30 matches during the which was in 2018/19 campaign, leading up to his invitations to the Olympic Eagles and Super Eagles.
He will now hope to make a better mark with Venezia were promoted into Serie A alongside Empoli and Salernitana, after beating Cittadella 2-1 on aggregate in the play-off finals, following which they beat off equally vibrant interest from Sampdoria to hook the lad on loan.
The deal, which comes with option to buy at the end of the season, was sealed despite Okereke’s contract with Brugge due to run until June 2023, but there is a promise of new height for the lad, who also previously spent time on loan at Cosenza of Italy.
He was sold to Club Brugge for €8m plus bonuses in the summer of 2019, then scored four goals in 25 Jupiler Pro League games last season, despite struggling to impress the coaching staff, but expectations ae now rife that he will get better trappings at his new base in Venice.
A citation by New.in-24 noted: “The the right-hander has never set foot on Serie A lawns, since La Spezia was still playing in the second division when he played there. Two years later, David Okereke will probably discover the elite of Italian football, passing from little Venice to the big one.”
His new club added: “Venezia FC is pleased to announce the signing of Nigerian attacker David Okereke, 23, on loan from Club Brugge.
“Okereke came through the youth academy at Spezia, before ultimately reaching the first team and making his professional debut in April 2016.
“After three seasons of increasing experience and progress, including a half-season loan at Cosenza, Okereke had a breakout season with Spezia in 2018/19, leading the team with 10 goals and 12 assists in Serie B. Welcome, David.”
