Nigeria U-20 midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali, has been handed the number 25 jersey at his new English Premier League club, Arsenal.
Arsenal yielded to the player’s demand for the shirt number after agreeing a five-year deal with the club, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.
“Arsenal has informed us that Kelechi has been handed the number 25 jersey. He was trying to get that number because of Kanu Nwankwo. So he’s happy the club gave it to him,” ASJ Academy supremo, Emeka Amajiriaku, told allnigeriasoccer.com.
Nwakali, who clocked 18 years earlier this month, is still with the Nigeria U20s , and the coaching staff led by Emmanuel Amuneke and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will have to give the go-ahead before he travels to London for his official unveiling.
“Kelechi is no longer our property. We can’t decide when he’ll travel to London. No one knows the mind of Arsene Wenger. Arsenal needs him urgently but we want him to play for Nigeria.
“The coach and the Nigeria Football Federation will have to decide on that,” Amajiriaku added.