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Ebenezer Bajela
Belgian top division side Club Brugge have confirmed the signing of Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika from Danish club FC Midtjylland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The club announced the signing of the Nigerian on their official website on Sunday.
The reigning champions of Belgian First Division A beat other suitors, including Serie A champions, AC Milan, to the signing of the youngster.
After winning the Danish league’s Young Player of The Year Award, following his impressive performances last season, Onyedika emerged as a top transfer target for a lot of European clubs, with the Italian champions the leading suitors.
Onyedika enjoyed a great season at Midtllyand last term and was instrumental to the club’s success, a display which saw Milan open negotiations with the Danish club to complete the signing of the Nigerian.
However, after having their second bid of €6.5m for the 21-year-old rejected, Milan dumped their chase for the player and shifted their focus to Bordeaux’s Jean Onana and Wolfsburg man Aster Vranckx.
After much speculation surrounding the future of the talented midfielder, Brugge on Sunday announced the arrival of the Nigerian.
“Club Brugge and FC Midtjylland reached an agreement today about the definitive transfer of Raphael Onyedika,” the club wrote.
“Onyedika (21) is a defensive midfielder who can also play centrally in the defence. He was trained at the Nigerian FC Ebedei and came to Europe in 2019. After a loan to FC Fredericia, he broke through last season with the main squad of Midtjylland. Onyedika impressed in the Danish top league and in the Europa League and won the cup. His good performances were rewarded with an election as the best young player in Denmark.
“He signs a contract until 2027.”
The announcement came hours after manager Carl Hoefkens, in his cryptic message, confirmed that the midfielder was on his way to joining the club.
“I hope to see him (Onyedika) very soon with us,” Hoefkens said, as per Walfoot.
“I just want to work with the best players possible. I know he’s quality, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Onyedika will wear jersey number 15 for his new club.