Flying winger Taofeek Ismaheel joins Super Eagles stars at FC Lorient

The youngster has been afforded the chance to impress and stake a claim to a first-team spot at the Brittany-based outfit

Flying winger Taofeek Ismaheel has joined Super Eagles stars Terem Moffi and Bonke Innocent at FC Lorient as the club’s pre-season preparations kick into full gear.

Lorient signed Ismaheel from Norwegian side Fredrikstad for €500,000 during the January transfer window. A few days later, Les Merlus sent the 21-year-old on loan to another Norwegian outfit FC Vålerenga.

At Vålerenga, Ismaheel made nine league appearances and provided an assist before his loan spell ended last month.

He has, however, returned to his parent club Lorient where he will look to impress alongside compatriots Terem Moffi and Bonke Innocent.

Both Ismaheel and Moffi were present in Lorient training on Monday while Bonke continued his recovery from the injury he cupped on international duty.

Moffi’s Lorient influence

Despite not reaching the 14-goal heights of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season, Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi was still Lorient’s top goalscorer last term with eight league goals.

The 23-year-old attacker added four assists to make it a 12-goal contribution in 37 games as Lorient finished 16th on the 20-team Ligue 1 table.

And after his exploits with the Super Eagles during the last international break, Moffi looks set to break down new barriers next season.

Under new head coach Jose Peseiro, Moffi featured in all four of Nigeria’s games against Mexico, Ecuador, Sierra Leone, and Sao Tome and Principe.

The former Kortrijk ace even grabbed his first international goals, netting a brace as the Super Eagles demolished the Islanders.

Moffi was an eight million euros signing from Kortrijk in 2020, and he has a contract with Lorient until June 2024.