New signing at Prison Leopards of Zambia, Solomon Oladele Gbadegeshin (aka Abula) has confessed that the biggest target on his mind after his summer arrival in the Chipolopolo Nation is to get a deal in Europe at the end of this season, megasportsarena.com reports.
Although many football followers might sneer at him, Oladele believes that moving to Zambia from his former base in Swaziland is a step forward in his career and, having played in Serbia before moving to the kingdom nation, the hot shot lad is eager for another spell in the spotlight.
Such is the enthusiasm flowing through his mind, as he continues basking in the euphoria of his recent move to Zambia, where he is now eagerly seeking glorious days ahead of him, following his successful summer transfer to Prison Leopards FC in the East African country.
‘Solo’ makes the move to The Correctional Services Squad from Denver Sundowns of Swaziland, where he enacted a haul of heroics, following his initial arrival in the Southern African nation in 2011, after a stillborn spell with FK Jagodina of Serbia.
The youngster grew up in Ikotun area of Lagos, where he was groomed at Ade Babes of Ijegun, Young Stars of Satellite Town, FC Robo of Mushin, National Grassroots Dream Team and Vejle Football Academy of Ojo, before getting a short stint at Police FC of Owerri.
He moved from Nigeria to Denmark in 2008, when he joined Vejle with former Golden Eaglets invitees, Joseph Akinola Folahan and Chidi Dauda Omeje, but soon signed a profi contract with Jagodina.
He played his first game for Jagodina in the Serbian SuperLiga on December 10, 2008 against FK Javor Ivanjica and scored on his debut, following which he played on loan with FK Sinđelić Niš in the Serbian League East during the 2009/10 season.
He moved to Swaziland the following year and, by September 2013 he was already in the bright highlights as a prolific goal scorer when playing with Mazzini Wanderers, Green Mamba and Red Lions in the Swazi Premier League.
At the height of his heroics in the kingdom nation now known as eSwatini, Gbadegeshin was declared best striker in the league by top newspaper, The Swazi Observer, and, during his time at Green Mamba, the former Red Lions striker took home a monthly salary of E10 000.
He joined ‘Inyoka Eluhlazana’ from Red Lions and spent three seasons with the 2019/20 SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup champions, where he scored freely in the first two years of his tenure there, but fell out with the technical crew and management in the third year.
He joined Green Mamba a season after emerging Swaziland league’s most valuable player, and went on to enjoy a fruitful spell with the 2011 Swazi League champions, who have also won the FA Cup in 2004 and 2012.
After leaving the side that appeared in the CAF Champions League in 2001 against Zanaco and Ferraviaro as well as in 2012 against FC Platinum of Zimbabwe, Gbadegeshin continued waxing strong in the kingdom nation, such that his move across the border became a matter of time.
That has now come to pass, following a deal in Zambia, where he will join Green Mamba’s sister club, as Prisons Leopard are also a team bankrolled by the correctional services in the copper rich East African, where the Nigerian-born hitman, who is now 30, believes he will soar very high.
After signing a two-year-deal with the Kabwe-based Superleague side until July 2023, Oladele thanked Denver Sundowns and his close pal, Alade Kola for helping him get his career back on track, following his exit from Green Mamba.
He quickly joined his hew side for pre-season training at Mongu, after the head coach, Albert Kachinga named him a 36-member squad comprising new and old players, as they commenced full plans in readiness for the 2021/2022 season.
Oladele recounted: “After I was offloaded by Green Mamba, I thought my career was dead. However, Aladeon Kola, who used to play for Mbabane Swallows, motivated me to work harder.
“I then joined Denver Sundowns and I knew I had to work harder, so that I could attract offers from Africa.
“I could not play regular at Sundowns due to injuries, but I am grateful that they revived my career. They gave me a chance when nobody believed in me and opened doors for me.
“I am now looking forward to playing regularly here. I am hoping this will be my gate pass to Europe, where I wish to play again, like I did in 2010.”
