Transfers: Super Eagles Midfielder Offered Escape Route In Turkey

It has not been the best of times at PAOK Thessaloniki in recent times for Nigerian midfielder Anderson Esiti, but Turkey may offer him a chance to get his career back on track

Super Eagles midfielder Anderson Esiti is close to calling it quits with former Greek champions PAOK Thessaloniki, even as he seeks to rejuvenate a career that has suffered hiccups in recent past.

According to Turkish Publications Milliyet, Super Lig side Goztepe are keen on adding the defensive midfielder to their playing staff in the coming days.

Esiti, who joined PAOK in 2019 from Gent for €3.5 million, played in 21 matches to help his side to a runner-up spot in the Super League 1 in his maiden campaign.

But the 26-year-old has found himself down the pecking order this term, having started only five of PAOK’s 16 league matches.

Esiti, who cut his footballing teeth in the Portuguese league, could be heading to Turkey next with struggling Goztepe in desperate need of midfield reinforcements.

Currently sitting 16th on the 21-team Turkish league table, the Yellow-Reds have won none of their last seven matches in all competitions.

Should Esiti complete his move to Goztepe, he would be joining two other Nigerians – midfielder Obinna Nwobodo and striker Brown Ideye – at the club.

Warri-born Esiti is a full Nigerian international and has three caps to his name. The former Estoril ace made his last appearance for the Super Eagles in the 2-2 draw against Ukraine in September 2019, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute for Alex Iwobi.