Brown Ideye explains Aris Saloniki exit

Nigeria international and 2013 AFCON Winner Brown Ideye has explained to www.aclsports.com the reason behind his departure from Greek side Aris Saloniki.

Ideye, 31, joined the Greek Super League side last summer having last played for Malaga in the second half of the 2017/18 season. He has however ended his one-year deal on June 30, deciding against a renewal, at least till the end of the season.

The former West Bromwich Albion star says he enjoyed his time in Greece but was unwilling to accept the club’s offer.

“My time in Saloniki was good. I enjoyed every bit of it,” he began to www.aclsports.com

“The thing that made me not to extend my contract with them is that they are proposing to give me something lesser than what I received last season so I don’t think I’m going to accept that offer.

“I’m not going to accept peanuts because I just want to play football,” Ideye emphasised.

In the wake of the global pandemic (Covid-19), it is expected that clubs will start taking drastic economic measures as they struggle to find a balance to their financial books.

Ideye perfectly understands the situation with the club and their intentions but thinks it is best for the club and his career if he moves on.

“The team want to cut down their budget in terms of payment of players but there are so many reasons to refuse the offer. I thank them for the good relationship we had and I’m hoping for a better offer elsewhere,” added the striker who was the club’s second highest goalscorer this season.

Ideye played his last game for the club on June 28, a 0-2 home loss to PAOK Salonika at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium in Thessaloniki.