Super Eagles striker Olanrewaju Kayode has joined newly promoted Spanish Primera Division side Girona on a season-long loan deal from English giants Manchester City.
“Larry Kayode” as Olanrewaju is called in Austria has signed a 4-year deal with City after joining from Ausrian side Austria Vienna in a deal reported to be worth €4 million.
Girona, who face Atlético Madrid in their season opener on Saturday announced the arrival of Kayode on their website Friday afternoon.
Olanrewaju, 24 has played for Nigeria at all national team levels from the Under-17 category. He featured at the 2009 Under-17 World Championships hosted by Nigeria, a tournament that produced the likes of Super Eagles vice captain Ogenyi Onazi, Spanish midfielders Koke and Isco as well as Brazilian super stars, Coutinho and Neymar.
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Larry played for the Nigerian Under-20s in 2011 and 2013 in Colombia and Turkey respectively. In Colombia, Kayode scored three goals in Nigeria’s run to the quarter-final stage where they were eliminated by an Alexandre Lacazette inspired French side.
In 2013, Kayode scored twice for Nigeria in Turkey including the match winner in the Flying Eagles’ final group game against South Korea before Nigeria exited the tournament at the first knockout stage.
Kayode was part of the Nigerian Under-23 side that failed to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London and only this summer made his senior debut for the Super Eagles against Togo in France before a second substitute appearance in Nigeria’s loss against South Africa in Uyo.
Kayode signed for Vienna for just €800,000 from Israeli side Maccabi Netanya. He scored 24 goals for the Austrian side in 48 appearances in all competitions last term, an improvement on the 13 he scored in his first season in Austria.
He was linked to Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Watford but the former ASEC Abidjan striker has opted to join Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
