Former youth international striker, Olarewaju Kayode has opted to agree a permanent move to Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine, following his loan spell at the club from Manchester City last season.
Rather than face the challenge of seeking relevance at man city in the coming season, the former Austria Vien top scorer has decided to stay put with the former club of ex-Super Eagles striker, Julius Efosa Aghahowa and Isaac Okoronkwo.
Kayode, who also had a nightmarish short loan spell at Girona of Spain, will now play as a full player at Donetsk next season, after the club announced that they have signed on a permanent basis.
It means the Nigeria 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup revelation will remain at The Miners until at least June 30, 2023, having put pen to paper on a five-year contract.
Kayode, who has agreed a five-year permanent deal with the Ukrainian club, said he is thankful to officials of Shakhtar and City for making the deal go through, while also sending appreciation to his fans for believing in him.
“I say thank you to Manchester City for making the deal to happen and thanks to my club Shakhtar Donetsk for believing in me. I am happy with this deal. My targets are to score more goals and win more trophies for my club Shakhtar Donetsk.
“I am here to prove myself again. I am forever grateful to all my fans, I thank them for the support right from day one, I am humbled and love them all,” he said.
The 25-year-old Kayode initially joined Shakhtar Donetsk on loan in March 2018, and went on to make eight appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring three goals.
Kayode, who has also played for ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire, Maccabi Netanya of Israel, FC Luzern of Switzerland, won the league title with Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018 and came off the bench in their 2-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev in the final of the Ukrainian Cup.
FC Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin stated: ”Kayode will continue to play at Shakhtar. We’ve bought his transfer from Manchester City and signed a five-year deal. He really proved himself, Paulo is pleased with them.”
