The Nigeria international moved to Europe seven years ago, playing for Ajax academy, Trencin, Gent, Levante, and Nantes. However, he still has fond memories of his time at the Belgian club.
Simon had an unsuccessful spell at Ajax, but the winger impressed – had a hand in 27 goals in 38 games – at Slovakian side Trencin from where KAA Gent secured his services in 2015 on a three-year contract.
After initial struggles in Belgium, Simon later excelled, playing a significant role as Gent won their first-ever national championship title in Simon’s first five months at the club.
After 21 goals and 18 assists in 136 appearances for Gent, Simon departed for Levante, where an underwhelming campaign for the Spanish side led him to spend last year on loan at Nantes.
An incredibly fruitful year followed in France. Simon not only contributed nine goals and eight assists in 30 matches for the Yellow Canaries, but he also picked up the man-of-the-match awards in ten games.
Even though the Ligue 1 season was brought to an impromptu end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Simon still emerged as Nantes’ Player of the Year.
It gets better. Simon’s headed goal against Nice was also picked as the club’s Goal of the Season.
Nantes’ fans also voted the 24-year-old winger into the club’s Team of the Decade, despite the Nigerian forward only being at the club for less than 12 months.
Simon admits it has been a fantastic time for him at Nantes, but he rates his league-winning campaign higher than his spell so far in France.
“This season was one of the best seasons I’ve had in Europe but not the best because nothing compares to winning the title,” Simon told the Punch.
“The best for me was when I won the title with Gent, just months after I arrived.
“But it was a good debut season for me in Ligue 1 with the goals and assists.”
Simon recently revealed his desire to play in the English Premier League, preferably for Chelsea.
