FK Dembava signs 23 Nigerian footballers in historic deal

By Ekemini Samuel

Posted on July 13, 2024

Lithuanian football club FK Dembava has signed 23 Nigerian footballers to compete in the Lithuania II Lyga. The signing, brokered by Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry (OPM), marks a significant milestone in the careers of these young footballers.

The players, comprising eight females and 15 males, signed their contracts at a ceremony in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. According to Chinyere, the signing completes the first historic church-sponsored international football scouting exercise, providing a platform for talented Nigerian footballers to showcase their skills in Europe.

The scouting exercise, which lasted over two weeks, saw club owners and decision-makers from Europe conduct trials for talented footballers in Nigeria. The selected players will play in both men’s and women’s leagues in Lithuania, a Schengen country.

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Chinyere emphasized that the contract signing ceremony was attended by club officials, players’ lawyers, and relatives, ensuring that the scouted players secure direct contracts, eliminating the uncertainty of trials in Europe. The players have been provided with visa, flight tickets, and free accommodations, and will travel directly to the club to play football, not for trials.

This historic deal provides an opportunity for the Nigerian footballers to showcase their skills and bring pride to Nigerian football fans. The signing of 23 players at once is a testament to the talent and potential of Nigerian footballers, and FK Dembava’s commitment to developing young players.

The move is also seen as a significant step forward for Nigerian football, as it provides a platform for players to gain international experience and exposure. The signing of female players is particularly notable, as it highlights the growing importance of women’s football in Nigeria.

FK Dembava’s decision to sign Nigerian players is a vote of confidence in the country’s football talent, and a recognition of the potential of Nigerian players to excel in European leagues. The club’s commitment to developing young players is commendable, and this historic deal is expected to pave the way for more Nigerian players to secure international contracts in the future.