Manchester City release Chidiebere Nwakali following the expiration of his five year contract

ENGLISH Premier League giants Manchester City have released Nigerian midfielder Chidiebere Nwakali following the expiration of his five year contract with the club making him a free agent to find a clubside ahead of the coming season.

Nwakali, 21, signed a five year contract with Manchester City in 2013, which is due to expire on July 30 this year. Despite his being on the club's payroll, he was unable to get into the  main team like his Nigerian colleague Kelechi Iheanacho.

Since joining Manchester City, Nwakali he has spent five seasons on loan to different teams with his most productive year coming during his time on loan to Scottish side Aberdeen. Last season he also trained with the senior national team of Nigeria but did not get to make his debut for the main team.

Considered highly talented, Nwakali is a central midfielder like his younger brother Kelechi, who captained Nigeria to win the U17 World Cup in 2015. Both brothers featured for Nigeria earlier this year when the B team played a friendly game against Atletico Madrid played in Uyo.

Rated as one of the best players in the match against the Europa League winners, Nwakali is likely to be called up for Nigeria’s next international engagement, which is the African Nations Cup qualifier against Seychelles in September. His brother Kelechi, who is seen as the future of the Super eagles, is expected to join Portuguese side Porto, on loan ahead of the coming season.

Kelechi is an Arsenal player and considered one of the best box-to-box young midfielders in the world.  before he can feature in the English Premiership though, he needs to get some international caps under his belt.