Onazi targets January move to England

Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is still targeting a move to England in the January window after his move to Birmingham City failed to materialise during the summer transfer market.

The 24-year-old, who plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor, was denied a work permit to play for the English Championship side.

“Every disappointment is a blessing. I’m not disappointed,” he told the BBC.


“I’m still strong, working hard, because I know there are better chances ahead.

“Somehow you can call it disappointment because there was an opportunity for me to go to England to start another life, another football entirely, but nevertheless there is never a dull moment.”

His first goal of the season came after he played in all but three minutes of Nigeria’s two 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon, which the Super Eagles won 4-0 and drew 1-1.

Onazi started his professional career in Italy with Lazio before switching to Turkey in August 2016 by signing a four-year deal with Trabzonspor.

Despite his failure to earn a move to England, Onazi is confident he will move away from Trabzonspor soon and has not ruled out playing in the English Premier League.

“I believe in the next transfer window it’s going to happen. Now we know what we need to do to make everything happen.” he added.

“Of course that (England) is one of the places I want to play before thinking about retiring.

“I can only keep working hard to help my team now; I know and believe by the special grace of God it’s going to happen soon.”

Onazi helped Nigeria win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, and played in all four of his country’s games at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.