Besiktas have confirmed Super Eagles star Wilfred Ndidi as the club’s new vice-captain, just weeks after the Nigerian midfielder completed his move from Leicester City, Soccernet.ng reports.
The announcement was made on Friday in an official statement by the Turkish Super Lig side.
Ndidi, 27, has settled quickly into life in Istanbul, delivering a string of assured performances in midfield.
He has already featured in five league matches and two UEFA Conference League qualifiers, earning praise from supporters for his discipline, work rate, and composure.
In the same statement, Besiktas revealed that Orkun Kökçü, on loan from Benfica and set for a permanent transfer next summer, will serve as the team’s new captain.
“With the decision of our President Serdal Adalı and our Board of Directors, a change has been made regarding the captaincy of our Football A Team,” the club announced.
“Orkun Kökçü has been appointed as the first captain of our Football A Team, and Wilfred Ndidi as the second captain. We thank Necip Uysal and Mert Günok for their efforts and wish our new captains success.”
Both Kökçü and Ndidi will officially assume their duties when Besiktas face Gençlerbirliği in the Super Lig on Saturday.
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Wilfred Ndidi takes up leadership role for club and country
The vice-captaincy represents a fresh chapter for Ndidi, who continues to grow as a leader both at club and international level.
His promotion comes barely three months after leaving Leicester, where he spent seven successful years, helping the club win the FA Cup and Community Shield.
Interestingly, Ndidi also holds a leadership role with Nigeria’s national team. With Ahmed Musa largely unavailable due to injury, form and club commitments at Kano Pillars, William Troost-Ekong has captained the Super Eagles in recent months but Ndidi has regularly deputised.
The midfielder wore the armband in Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Benin in their final World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, a match highlighted by Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and a Frank Onyeka strike.
Ndidi is expected to play a crucial role again next month when the Super Eagles regroup for the continental playoffs in Morocco, where Nigeria will face Gabon on November 13. The winner will take on either Cameroon or DR Congo for a place in the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next year.
