New signing at Udinese of Italy, William Troost-Ekong has admitted that he has a long line of nostalgic memories about his days with Bursaspor of Turkey, where he disclosed that he had several good times off and on the pitch during just over a year of his sojourn.
As he heads for his Serie A debut this weekend, Troost-Ekong said he will always have thoughts about Bursaspor on his mind, but acknowledged that he now has to stay fully focused on the next step of his career.
Troost-Ekong, who recently welcomed a baby boy with his partner, after playing 90 minutes in all three games for the Super Eagles at the World Cup, thanked Bursaspor for their support during his stay with the club.
The 24-year-old centre back joined Bursaspor on a permanent transfer from Belgium First Division side KAA Gent at the start of the 2017/18 season.
Before his move to Bursaspor from Gent, he turned out for the youth team of Tottenham Hotspur, as well as FC Groningen and FC Dordrecht of Holland, after which he had a loan spell at Haugesund of Norway.
Ekong, who is expected to be among players called up by Super Eagles boss, Gernot Rohr for the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier away to Seychelles on Saturday, September 8, also thanked his fans for supporting him and his teammates.
Troost-Ekong stated: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone in Bursa and Bursaspor especially my teammates and staff for everything. I will always have great memories of my time in Turkey as a player but also as a man.
“However the time has come for a new step in my career. I want to wish Bursaspor a great season and I will now follow the team as a fan.
“Lastly, I want to say a special thank you to Texas and all the fans who supported me and the team. I will remain one of you now. Texasli Ekong.”
