Former Super Eagles striker, Victor Anichebe (The Beast) has returned to England empty handed, after a period of training with Colorado Rapids of USA, according to reports reaching footballlive.ng.
Reports emerged on Monday that Anichebe was training with the Major League Soccer (MLS) team, but Rapids quickly disclosed that the former Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland of England star was not in line to get a contract with the club.
The 30-year-old attacker, most recently was on the books of Chinese second division side, Beijing Enterprises where he scored twice in 11 appearances, was said to have been in Colorado to see his long-standing American friend, Tim Howard, from their days together at Everton.
Prior to Anichebe’s move to China, he spent fourteen years of his career in England, and played in the same Everton team as Rapids goalkeeper, Howard.
Anichebe, who made 11 appearances for the Eagles, was a teammate of Howard at Everton for six of his seasons on Merseyside where he scored 18 goals in 118 appearances.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics silver medalist is currently a free agent, after terminating his contract with Beijing Enterprises after he alleged that the club indulged in fixing matches.
Anichebe accused the club of telling him “not to try” and said they also encouraged him to fix matches; such that expectations were then rife that he was about to sign fro Colorado Rapids.
The speculation reached a climax when he trained with the team for a few days in September, but an official at Rapids stated that Anichebe only trained with the squad to maintain fitness during a personal trip.
“Victor Anichebe is not a target for the club. He trained with the team for a few days during a personal trip to the US to maintain fitness. Victor returned home last week,” the Rapids media official revealed.
