Nigerian defender Chidozie Awaziem is on the verge of joining Greek club Panathinaikos, marking a potential shift in his career, Soccernet.ng reports.
The highly sought-after player has captured the attention of the former Greek champions, who are eager to bolster their defense with the former Hajduk Split star.
Awaziem spent last season on loan at Hajduk Split from Boavista, impressively featuring in 36 games for the Croatian side.
During his stint at Split, Awaziem's performance was noteworthy, as he managed to score five goals and provide one assist. His remarkable tally in front of goal established him as the highest-scoring defender in Hajduk Split's league history.
Additionally, he triumphantly clinched the Croatian Cup with the club.
Although Hajduk Split had hoped to retain Awaziem for the upcoming season, negotiations with Boavista fell through.
Meanwhile, Panathinaikos, who vigorously contended for the championship title last season but were outwitted by champions AEK, are determined to do better next term.
Recent reports from Greece, according to Dalmatinski, indicate that the Super Eagles' standout defender is the club's top choice to reinforce their defensive line.
Awaziem remains under contract with Boavista until the summer of 2025 and has already resumed preseason training with the Portuguese club.
His presence could be pivotal for Boavista, especially considering the potential departure of Bruno Onyemaechi to Porto.
Nevertheless, the allure of Panathinaikos may prove irresistible to Awaziem.
The Athenians are poised to participate in the UEFA Champions League next season, offering the 26-year-old the prospect of featuring in Europe's premier club competition.
Despite spending nearly a decade in Europe, Awaziem's experience in the Champions League has been limited.
He has only played in the qualifiers four times and made a brief eight-minute appearance in the tournament proper.
This move to Panathinaikos could present an opportunity for the Nigerian defender to enhance his European pedigree and make a significant impact on the grand stage.
