Chelsea centreback Kenneth Omeruo joins Spanish side Leganes on season-long loan

SUPER Eagles centreback Kenneth Omeruo has joined La Liga side Leganes on a season-long loan after he passed a medical yesterday following an agreement between the Spanish side and his parent club Chelsea.

Omeruo, 24, joined Chelsea in January 2012 as a teenager and was loaned out to Dutch Eredivisie side Ado Den Haag immediately and has since been loaned out to several other clubs across Europe. Once heralded as a new sweeper in the mould of Joseph Yobo, Omeruo has one year left on his current Chelsea contract and will now spend it playing in the Spanish league.

Leganes have now made three major signings over the last 48 hours, having managed to secure the services of Spanish winger Jose Arnaiz and getting midfielder Oscar Rodriguez from Real Madrid on loan. Capped 40 times by Nigeria, Omeruo will spend the season on loan with an option to make the move permanent for €5m next summer with Chelsea also securing a 20% future sales clause.

Since the World Cup, several clubs have been keen on Omeruo and in Spain alone, the likes of Real Betis, Levante, Valladolid and Leganes have all been interested. After spending the past three seasons in Turkey, Omeruo turned down interest from teams there as he was attracted to the idea of living in Madrid and also playing in the La Liga.

His signing brings to 13 the number of players Leganes have signed this summer with Omeruo set to replace out of favour defender Mauro dos Santos who has been told he can leave the club. Last season, Leganes just about avoided relegation, finishing 17th in the league and would want to improve on that over the forthcoming campaign.