The former Super Eagles captain featured 54 times across two Bundesliga campaigns for the Billy Goats, with his success there inspiring one of his younger countrymen to follow his footsteps
New FC Cologne striker Tolu Arokodare has confessed that he did not hesitate to sign for the German side in the summer as he was keen to play for a club that once paraded a Nigerian legend in Sunday Oliseh.
Arokodare excelled in the Latvian top division, scoring 16 goals in as many matches to cause several European clubs scrambling for his signature.
Anderlecht were, at a point, favourites to land the lanky 19-year-old striker, who was also believed to be positively disposed to joining the Belgian giants.
But things changed when Cologne showed interest with an offer of a season-long loan deal which Arokodare wasted no time in grabbing with both hands.
The former Golden Eaglets star, in an interview with German publications Bild, has now explained the thinking behind his choice of Cologne over other suitors.
“It was a perfect fit,” Arokodare said.
“I knew Cologne, of course, as a big club. Especially because a Nigerian legend has already played here, that’s Sunday Oliseh.
“So it was clear that I would agree immediately.”
Cologne were the first German club Oliseh played for in Europe, joining from Serie A side Reggiana in 1995.
Two years later, the midfielder secured a move to Ajax before joining Juventus following a successful spell in the Netherlands.
The former Super Eagles skipper returned to Germany in the year 2000 to star for Borussia Dortmund, helping the side to the 2002 Bundesliga title.
Arokodare would hope to achieve similar success in Germany, starting with scoring his first Bundesliga goal when the league returns this weekend.
