Kelechi Nwakali has been sent out on a season-long loan to VVV Venlo and has revealed he has a certain shirt number in mind once he starts.
Nwakali has been sent back to the Netherlands after spending last season on loan at MVV Maastricht, and his academy director reveals this time he wants the #10 shirt.
“Kelechi (Nwakali) has finally got his work permit,” ASJ Academy director, Emeka Amajiriaku told Scorenigeria.com.ng.
“He has similarly travelled.
“That was yesterday, so as we speak, he is already in Holland with his new club, VVV Venlo.”
Amajiriaku added, “We just hope he gets his choice jersey number (no.10).”
At the moment, 27-year-old Jonathan Opoku holds the #10 shirt at VVV Venlo. Last term, he made 27 Jupiler League appearances, scored 11 goals and assisted nine. So the chances of the club taking the shirt off the Netherlands international in favour of giving it to an on-loan 19-year-old aren’t high. However, it’s good for Nwakali to dream big I guess.
Nwakali spent his youth at Diamond Football Academy before joining Arsenal in 2016.
The attacking midfielder was sent out on loan to MVV first, where he made 34 appearances, scored three and assisted four.
Happy to have joined @vvvvenlo On a season long loan! #Godswork
— Kelechi Nwakali (@Kelechi_nwakali) August 31, 2017
Although that’s a decent tally for his first loan spell since signing for the Gunners, the Nigeria captain will be hoping to improve upon this during the 2017/18 season.
VVV, where fellow youth player Gedion Zelalem was sent last term, were promoted from the second tier of Dutch football, to the Eredivisie last season after winning the title. It should be great experience for Nwakali.