Done deal: Super Eagles hopeful set for Benevento medical ahead of Fiorentina Coppa Italia clash

Nigerian forward David Okereke has completed a move to Benevento, giving the former Torino star a new chapter in Italian football after leaving Cremonese, Soccernet.ng reports.

Transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio confirmed on Monday, that Benevento have reached a final agreement to sign the 28-year-old on a free transfer.

Okereke is returning to the Italian football pyramid after his previous spell with Serie A side Cremonese. The former Club Brugge and Venezia attacker is expected to become an important part of Benevento's attack as the club prepares for life in Serie B.

The final paperwork and registration are still being completed, while the exact length of his contract and financial terms have not yet been made public.

Okereke chose Benevento despite strong competition

Okereke is expected in the Sannio region on Monday morning for his medical tests before completing the final formalities of the transfer. Benevento are also working quickly to register him in time for their Coppa Italia meeting with Fiorentina on Friday.

That deadline could give Okereke an immediate chance to face one of Italy's top clubs if the paperwork is completed in time and head coach Antonio Floro Flores decides to include him in the squad.

The financial structure of the deal gives Benevento room to invest in the Nigerian. Okereke was earning about €770,000 per year at Cremonese, according to the available salary figures. Since Benevento do not have to pay a transfer fee, part of the money saved from the free transfer can be used on his salary and possible signing bonuses.

Benevento also had to fight off interest from several countries. Turkish clubs Kocaelispor and Kasımpaşa pushed to sign Okereke after his successful loan spell at Gaziantep FK, where he scored nine goals. His experience in Turkey made him an attractive option for clubs looking for an experienced forward.

There was also interest from Major League Soccer, with Napoli Magazine reporting that several unnamed MLS clubs made approaches for the Nigerian. Belgian clubs also saw an opportunity to bring Okereke back to the country where he enjoyed an important period of his career. He played 51 games for Club Brugge and won three league titles and a Belgian Super Cup. Sampdoria provided another challenge inside Italy, with the club also looking at free agents to strengthen its attack.

Benevento ultimately won the race because Okereke already knows Italian football and preferred another opportunity inside the country's professional system. The club's plan to give him an important role in its attack also helped convince him to choose the Giallorossi instead of moving to Turkey, Belgium or North America.

The timing of the signing is also important for Benevento. Floro Flores' team secured promotion to Serie B after an excellent 2025-26 campaign in Serie C Girone C. Benevento finished first after 38 league matches, collecting 25 wins, seven draws and six defeats. They scored 74 goals and conceded only 28, giving them a +46 goal difference.

Their promotion was confirmed after a decisive away victory at the Arechi Stadium against regional rivals Salerno, completing their return to Italy's second tier. Francesco Salvemini led the scoring charts with 15 goals, while Davide Lamesta produced 13 goals and was named the team's Most Valuable Player. Jacopo Manconi added another 10 goals.

The arrival of Okereke gives Floro Flores another experienced attacking option as Benevento step up to Serie B. His experience with Cremonese, Club Brugge, Venezia and Gaziantep could prove valuable as the newly promoted side prepares for a much tougher level of competition.

Benevento now hope to complete the registration process quickly, with Friday's Coppa Italia clash against Fiorentina potentially offering Okereke his first opportunity to wear the club's colours.