Official: Benevento beat Birmingham City to Super Eagles striker

The Italians have won the race for Nigeria's 2018 FIFA World Cup star

With a statement on their official website, Benevento have confirmed the signing of Super Eagles striker Simeon ‘Simy' Nwankwo on loan from Salernitana.

English Championship side Birmingham City were also reportedly interested in Simy, who was a part of the Super Eagles squad for the FIFA World Cup in 2018.

But it is the Italian Serie B campaigners who have won the race to the 30-year-old's signature.

Simy joins Benevento on a season-long loan deal. Yellow and Reds have an obligation to make the striker's deal permanent if they win promotion at the end of the campaign.

Benevento confirmed the transfer on their club website. The statement said: “Benevento Calcio announces that it has reached an agreement with Salernitana for the right to sporting services for striker Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo (Simy). The Nigerian footballer, born in 1992, arrives at the Giallorossi club on a temporary basis with the right of option.”

Benevento will be the fourth Italian club that Simy will play for since arriving in the country from Portugal in 2016.

The former Portimonense forward has previously featured for Crotone, Parma, and Salernitana.

Simy is Nigeria's all-time highest goalscorer in the Serie A with 31 goals.