It’s Dream Come True for David Okereke

Since his days with Serie B side, Spezia, David Okereke had always prayed to play at Italy’s topflight but his team failed to gain promotion to Serie A. After rumoured interest from Turin and Milan giants- Juventus and Inter for his signature failed to materialise, he eventually pitched tent with Club Brugge. His dream however came to fruition this summer when newly promoted Serie A club Venezia came calling

Newly promoted Serie A club, Venezia have completed the signing of Nigeria youth international, David Okereke on a season-long loan from Club Brugge, with the option to hand the 23-year-old a permanent contract at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
After helping Club Brugge win the Belgian Super Cup last month with a 3-2 win over Genk, Okereke made an appearance in the Belgian First Division A opener against AS Eupen which ended in a 2-2 draw on July 25.

The Nigeria youth international who moved to Belgium in 2019, won back-to-back Belgian top-flight titles with his contribution of 13 goals in 50 league appearances.
Although they finished fifth in the Serie B table last season, Venezia were promoted to the Italian top-flight after a 20-year absence via play-offs in May.
He joined Club Brugge in the summer of 2019, becoming their record signing in history, and has scored a total of 15 goals for Blauw-Zwart in 71 matches.

In his second season with Club Brugge, he fell out of favour with manager Philippe Clement, making only nine starts from a possible 51 in all competitions.
Okereke’s most productive season to date was in 2018-2019, netting 10 goals and chipping in with 12 assists in 30 matches, leading to a call-up to the Olympic national team and Super Eagles

He joins on-loan Benfica defender Tyronne Ebuehi as the second Nigeria player in Paolo Zanetti’s team.
“Venezia FC is pleased to announce the signing of Nigerian attacker David Okereke, 23, on loan from Club Brugge,” read a statement on the club’s website.
“Okereke came through the youth academy at Spezia, before ultimately reaching the first team and making his professional debut in April 2016.

“After three seasons of increasing experience and progress, including a half-season loan at Cosenza, Okereke had a breakout season with Spezia in 2018/19, leading the team with 10 goals and 12 assists in Serie B.
“Okereke’s form at Spezia prompted a move to Club Brugge in July 2019. In his first season with the club, Okereke made 22 appearances, starting 13 of them and scored nine goals to help Club Brugge win the Belgian league, while also making eight appearances in the Uefa Champions League and one appearance in the Uefa Europa League Round of 32.”

The Lagos-born attacker still has two years left on his contract at Club Brugge.
He was an unused substitute for the Super Eagles in an international friendly match against Egypt in March 2019, which ended 1-0 in their favour.
The Nigeria forward is back in Italy for his maiden spell in the top-flight with Paolo Zanetti’s side.

Before joining Brugge, Crystal Palace turned their direction at the former Spezia striker with Palace having been looking to add goals to their squad, with Palace among the lowest scorers in the Premier League.
The Eagle were interested in the then 21-year-old forward who had lit up Serie B last season with Spezia.
Palace were said to have sent scouts to watch Okereke in action during Spezia’s thrilling 4-4 draw away at Brescia and Nigerian forward did not disappoint as he scored one and set up another at the Mario Rigamonti Stadium.

Serie A side Inter Milan also tracked him in view of signing him with the option of leaving him at Spezia on loan before a decision will be made on his involvement.
Though no bid was tabled but it was believed that Inter were confident of their strong relationship with Spezia and a deal could be done if all goes according to plan.
According to Italian outlet Il Secolo XIX, as cited on Inside Futbol, Turin giants, Juventus also kept a close eye on Okereke’s development.

Born in Lagos, Okereke began his career in Italy with Lavagnese before his shift to Spezia in 2016, he rose through the ranks before making his professional debut against Novara on April 9, 2016.
He has played 36 games in total for Spezia across all levels, scoring eight goals while providing one assist.
Okereke is a product of Football College Abuja, the academy that produced AS Roma young duo Sadiq Umar and Nura Abdullahi.