Emmanuel Osadebe signs two year deal with Bradford City hoping it will lead to a Super Eagles career

NIGERIA-eligible midfielder Emmanuel Osadebe has just signed a two year deal with English League Two side Bradford City and declared that he hopes this move will spur his development to the point whereby he will become a Super Eagles player.

Osadebe, 25, was born in Dundalk in Ireland  and has trained with the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s in the past. However, he is eligible to play for Nigeria through his parents and revealed that this is where his heart lies given that he has international ambitions.

Bradford City has announced that it is pleased to welcome Osadebe as its latest summer signing after he put pen to paper on an initial two-year deal from Walsall for an undisclosed fee. Osadebe operates both in the centre and on either flank and over the last two seasons, he has made 91 appearances for Walsall, scoring eight goals in the process.

After graduating from the Tottenham Hotspur academy, Osadebe began his professional career at Gillingham and has also served spells at Cambridge United, Newport County and Macclesfield Town. He will be sponsored by Strasse Porsche for the 2022/23 season, although his signing is subject to the relevant English Football League and Football Association clearances.

Osadebe said: “It feels great to finally have the deal over the line, as it has been going on for quite a while now and I am just delighted to be here. As soon as I spoke with the gaffer and with Ryan Sparks, I knew the project was something I wanted to be a part of.

"We are all aligned in the same goals and this is the perfect place for me to take the next steps in my career. The manager we have has been at the top of the game and everyone at the club is driven in the same direction to achieve our goal of promotion, which we are more than capable of.

“Playing here in the past, it has always been loud, with the supporters imposing themselves on the game and that is something I want to be a part of.  Entertainment is a big part of my game. I want to get on the ball and make things happen, and am ready to kick on and do what I need to do.”

Bradford City manager Mark Hughes, added: “Emmanuel is someone we have been tracking for some time, so we are delighted to be able to welcome him to the club. He is another player at a great age, who has a lot of different components in his game which will certainly add to our threats as a side.

“His versatility and dynamism in the centre of the park and out wide coupled with his determination to entertain people and be a part of something special here made him a key target for us. I am sure you will join me in welcoming him to the club and like myself, are looking forward to seeing him show us what he can do at Valley Parade.”