Former super Eagles’ defender, Elderson Uwa Echiejile has received a warm send off message from HJK Helsinki of Finland, as the top-flight Scandinavian outfit bid him farewell, and wish him good tidings at his next port of call, megasportsarena.com reports.
The Finnish Veikkausliiga champions gave Echiejile the cordial statement, while confirming that they will not renew his contract this summer, thereby ending their short spell with the veteran left-back.
It marks the end of a romance that lasted only three months, as Echiejile joined the club as a free agent in March, in a deal that was initially expected to run until the end of the 2019 season, but they have now cut it short by mutual agreement.
During his time at HJK, Echiejile played five matches, scored two goals and provided an assist, but he did not feature in their last three matches of the league.
It mean Echiejile, who was in the Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations 2013 winning squad and played for Nigeria at the 2010 and 2018 editions of the FIFA World Cup, had fallen out of reckoning in the perking order at HJK.
Consequently, the once reliable left-back, who had previously played for Insurance of Benin City, Stade Rennes of France, Sporting Braga of Portugal, AS Monaco of France, Sivaspor of Turkey and Standard Liege of Belgium, with 59 Nigeria caps to boot, had to move on.
However, while announcing their decision to part company with Echiejile, HJK poured encomiums on him and wished him well in his next port of call.
The Helsinki-based club stated: ”HJK and Elderson Echiéjilé have terminated their contract and Elderson will not continue with the HJK team.
”We thank Elderson for his contribution to the team and the club and wish him all the best in the future. Thanks, Eddy.”
