EFL League One side Barnsley have announced the signing of former Nigeria U17 captain Kelechi Nwakali for an undisclosed fee. The deal, which is subject to visa and international clearance, is for three years.
Nwakali, 26, rose to prominence after captaining Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets to victory at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.
His standout performances earned him the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, sharing the spotlight with fellow Nigerian stars like Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen, who were also part of the victorious squad.
Developed at Diamond Academy in Nigeria, Nwakali's potential caught the eye of European scouts early on, leading to a high-profile move to Arsenal.
However, his time in Europe has been characterized by a series of loans and short stints across various clubs, making him somewhat of a footballing journeyman. His career has taken him to the likes of Porto B, VV Venlo, SD Huesca, Alcorcón, MVV Maastricht, and Ponferradina, among others.
New beginning for Kelechi Nwakali?
Despite his undoubted talent, Kelechi Nwakali's career has not been without controversy.
Most notably, during his time at Portuguese side CD Chaves, he faced disciplinary issues after being caught using his phone during a game, raising concerns about his professionalism.
“In my career I need to prove a point again,“ Nwakali told Barnsley’s official website.
“I spoke to Mladen and the Head Coach Darrell earlier in the summer and I knew that this was an exciting opportunity for me, I know I can bring a lot to the team.
“I am looking forward to being back in England and making Oakwell my home for the next three years.” he added.
Barnsley will be hoping that this move can provide the stability Nwakali needs to fulfill the promise he showed as a youth international.
