Forgotten Super Eagles forward returns to football five months after family scandal

Nigerian forward Olanrewaju Kayode has completed a transfer to Turkish Division 2 side, Şanlıurfaspor FC, months after he was involved in a family scandal, Soccernet.ng reports.

It has been a torrid year for Kayode. Early this year, news broke that he was embroiled in a marital battle with his wife Ezinne.

The 31-year-old forward joined Genclerbirligi in September 2023, but his time at the club was cut in March this year.

In an earlier report by Soccernet.ng, Kayode’s wife was involved in an extra-marital affair with her pastor Tobi Adegboyega and was using his money to bankroll her pastor’s lifestyle. Also, she allegedly plotted with some friends to defraud Kayode of some of his properties.

There were also issues with the paternity of their children, as Kayode was involved in a back-and-forth with his wife concerning a purported DNA test. The last that was heard about the issue was that Kayode had filed for divorce.

But it appears that the Nigerian forward has put most of that behind him, as he has forged on with his career. In a new development, per Ojora Babatunde, Kayode has joined Turkish second division club Şanlıurfaspor.

The 31-year-old forward penned a one-year contract that will keep him at the club until next season. Kayode will be looking to impress at the club and probably move to a bigger club next summer.

Olanrewaju Kayode’s road to Şanlıurfaspor

Kayode looked like he was destined for greatness after Manchester City bought him from Austria Vienna in 2015. However, that deal did not work out, as he was eventually sold after City sent him out on different loan deals at Girona and Shaktar Donetsk. Kayode joined Shaktar Donetsk permanently in 2018, but he was loaned out a year later. Whilst in the books of the Ukrainian giants, he went on loan at Sivasspor and Ümraniyespor before joining Genclerbirligi permanently last year.

Kelvin Omachonu

Kelvin Omachonu is a writer with many years of experience covering sports events in Nigeria and abroad. He is fueled by his love for the job, and is dedicated to delivering captivating stories.

Share
Published by
Kelvin Omachonu

Recent Posts

Placeholders? Saudi clubs’ Deja vu tricks with Boniface and Osimhen

Saudi Arabian clubs appear to be repeating a familiar pattern in their pursuit of Nigerian… Read More

13 minutes ago

Ajax vs Galatasaray: Victor Osimhen scores again, but toothless Lions lose record in Amsterdam

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was on target for Galatasaray, but his goal was not… Read More

6 hours ago

Super Eagles call-up? Nathan Tella breaks silence on Chelle’s selection

Super Eagles winger Nathan Tella has expressed his desire to return to the Nigerian national… Read More

12 hours ago

Can Akpom save Van Nistelrooy’s job? Leicester close in on Super Eagles-eligible striker

Leicester City are edging closer to securing the signing of Super Eagles-eligible striker Chuba Akpom… Read More

14 hours ago

Napoli reject first official bid for Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen amid Arsenal and Man United link

Napoli have turned down an initial €65 million bid from Galatasaray for Victor Osimhen, with… Read More

16 hours ago

Sevilla FC: Nigerian prospect Ola Great receives trial invitation from La Liga club

Nigerian footballer Ola Great has received an official trial invitation from the Spanish La Liga… Read More

17 hours ago