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Former Super Eagles’ defender, Taye Ismaila Taiwo (The Tornado) has opened up about the motivation that spurred him into signing a new contract with Salon Palloilijat of Finland at the age of 36, megasportsarena.com reports.
While critics might scold him for joining a modest club in the third-tier league, the former star of Olympique Marseille of France, AC Milan of Italy, Queens Park Rangers of England and Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine says he still has a lot left to offer the Finnish club.
It becomes the third club he will feature for in the Scandinavian nation, after earlier starring for HJK Helsinki and RoPS, which he left in January 2020, after which he went on to feature for Doxa Katokopias of Cyprus and Palm Beach Stars of USA.
Although he admitted age is no longer one his side and he might not be able to deliver the way he did in energetic and frenetic style during the six years he spent with Marseille, Taiwo is of a view that feeling a home in Finland could help him rehash his most successful stint in Europe.
The once fearsome left-footed hot shot, whose sojourn in Europe began in January 2005 at Marseille, which he joined from Lobi Stars of Makurdi, has been training with Italian fourth-tier side Sant’Angelo.
He is now set to begin the next chapter of his career when the Finnish season begins in January, ahead of which the veteran, who has also played in Turkey, Switzerland and Sweden admitted he is set to for a tough time, but stressed that he still has a lot of energy left in his tank.
Taiwo told BBC Sport Africa: “The reason I can play football actively now is because I still have plenty left in the tank.
“A lot of people always say that Africans retire early but I am a living proof that we can still play into our late 30s and early 40s.
“I know it’s a club in the third division and they are keen to gain promotion. It could be my biggest challenge in Finland, another country I can call home.
“I love challenges, and the ambition of the club to play in the second tier was a big factor in my decision to come back to Finland.
“I know I could’ve gone elsewhere but imagine achieving success with Salon Palloilijat – people will talk about me forever in the city.
“At this stage of my life and after the career I have had, I believe I can help the younger players, act like a role model, pass on my knowledge and together we can help the team.”
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