Başakşehir tie Azubuike to permanent deal

Turkish Super Lig champions-in-waiting, Istanbul Başakşehir have signed Nigerian midfielder Okechukwu Azubuike on a permanent deal, reports www.aclsports.com exclusively.

Azubuike, 23, joined the Istanbul-based outfit last summer on a season-long loan deal from Egyptian side Pyramids with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.

The club have now exercised the option by tying the Nigeria Under 23 captain to a new three-year deal till 2021 after agreeing a fee with Pyramids earlier this month.

The transfer fee paid by Başakşehir to Pyramids is said to be worth over 1m Euros with add ons taking it up to 1.5m Euros.

Azubuike who has previously played for Yeni Malatyasor and Çaykur Rizespor in Turkey’s elite division has featured in 31 matches for Başakşehir in all competitions this season.

Although a muscular injury has ruled him out of the last four matches, the pint-sized midfielder is scheduled to return to full training next week, in time for his club’s Europa League campaign next month.

Azubuike is poised to land the first league title of his club career this season as Başakşehir sit four points clear of nearest rivals Trabzonspor on top of the Super Lig table.

A win for Okan Buruk’s men at home to Kayserispor on Sunday will effectively seal Başakşehir’s first ever league title with one game to go.