New signing at Sevilla Femenino of Spain, Uchenna Kanu has received a heart-warming welcome message from the Primera Iberdrola outfit, following confirmation of her season-long switch from Southeastern Fire of America, megasportsarena.com gathered.
Sevilla, who also have Nigerian-born USA attacker, Antoinette Oyedupe Payne on their cards, disclosed that they were excited to get the energetic forward, who helped the Nigerian female national team, Super Falcons win gold at the 2019 WAFU Cup, from where she went home with the golden boot, after netting 10 goals in five games.
After sealing her new deal at the start of this week, Kanu, who also last year got her debut her debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, was granted Sevilla’s jersey number 19 and could get her debut this Saturday in a league game against Asisat Oshoala’s Barcelona.
The 22 year-old striker, who graduated from the South-Eastern University late last year, signed her first professional contract in Seville, where she goes with high-rating as America’s NAIA Women’s Player of The Year for 2019, following her record-breaking run with Southeastern Fire.
She scored 157 goals in four seasons, including a record 27 hat-tricks, to become the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) all-time highest career goals scorer, then inspired Nigeria to a maiden WAFU Women’s Cup triumph with victory over hosts Cote d’Ivoire, scoring 10 goals to clinch the highest scorer’s award in May.
The fast-rising attacker, who helped Nigeria reach the Women’s World Cup round of 16 for the first time in 20 years, becomes her country’s 11th player to join a Primera Iberdrola side, after Oshoala at Barca, Osinachi Ohale at CD Tacon, Rita Chikwelu and Chidinma Okeke at Madrid CFF, Alice Ogebe at Real Betis Feminas, Peace Efih at Sporting de Huelva, Chioma Grace Ubogagu also at CD Tacon, Maria Isabel ‘Mabel’ Okoye Robles at Atlético Madrid and her Sevilla pal, Payne.
Kanu, who starred with Pensacola FC before moving to God’s Own Country, will now hope to make the best of her days at Sevilla Femenino, which was founded in 2008 and play their home games in 8,000 capacity Estadio Jesús Navas.
Her club currently stand 11th on the Primera Iberdrola log, with 18 points after 17 games and the team enthused in a message on social media that signing the 2019 African Women’s Player of The Year nominee will help them finish on a high, even as they bid her a warm welcome.
Sevilla posted in Spanish: “#BienvenidaUche. @Ucheofficial30, vas a ser la primera jugadora nigeriana que porte la camiseta del @SevillaFC. ¡Mucha suerte! #WeareSevilla #SevillaFCFem.”
Kanu stated in response: “Thank God for His unconditional GRACE upon me. I am super honored for this great opportunity to represent the @SevillaFC_Fem . A big thank you to @teamavsports, @ALNaigeon7 @RVBelli for their help and support in making this successful. I CAN’T WAIT TO GET TO WORK‼”
