Russian Club Unveil F’Eagles Left Back

By Daniel Ojukwu

Sochi Football Club of Russia has unveiled Flying Eagles left-back Solomon Agbalaka after he completed a season-long loan transfer to Russian club from Broad City FC in Lagos, theroyaltimes.com reports.

His contract with the club is accompanied by an enticing option for a permanent transfer.

Sochi, the Russian first division club side, confirmed the signing of the Nigerian on Wednesday, 9 August, 2023.

The 19-year-old defender was an outstanding player for Nigeria during the last U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup in Argentina in June.

He played every minute of Nigeria’s games in both competitions and won the Man of the Match Award once at the Nations Cup.

Agbalaka has been tipped for a move abroad since the Flying Eagles ouster from the competition with reports of several offers from Germany and Belgium.

However, Agbalaka hope of playing continental football may be dashed unless he leaves the Russian league next summer. This is because UEFA have banned all Russian clubs from competing in their competitions indefinitely because of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Hailing from the Broad City club and making waves in The Creative Championship League, Agbalaka’s prowess as a defender has earned him recognition as one of the league’s standout talents.

At just 19 years old, Agbalaka’s star continues to rise, and his recent inclusion in Nigeria’s U-20 World Cup squad attests to his rapid ascent. An integral part of the squad that represented his nation on the global stage, Agbalaka’s consistent contributions were pivotal in propelling Nigeria to the quarterfinal stages of the tournament.

The Russian club confirmed Agbalaka’s acquisition through an official announcement on their website, revealing that the young talent will don the number fifteen jersey for PFC Sochi. Primarily a central and left-back player, Agbalaka’s versatility and skillset make him a promising asset for his new team.

Hailing from Nigeria, Agbalaka’s journey in the football world began with stints at FC MMF and Broad City in the national division. His international debut came in the African Cup of Nations U-20 earlier this year, where he displayed his goal-scoring prowess by netting the winning goal against Egypt and providing an assist against Mozambique.

Having showcased his talents on the global stage, Agbalaka’s performances at the U-20 World Cup further solidified his reputation. His consistent presence in the starting lineup, coupled with Nigeria’s triumphant progress to the quarterfinals by defeating formidable teams like Italy and Argentina, underscores Agbalaka’s impact as a defensive force.

With 12 appearances under his belt for Nigeria’s U-20 team, Agbalaka’s journey to PFC Sochi is a testament to his determination and potential. As he embarks on this new chapter, both Agbalaka and PFC Sochi are poised for an exciting season ahead, with eyes on not just immediate success, but also a long-term partnership that could see the talented defender making a permanent home at the Russian club.