Egwuekwe ‘Still a Wolves Player,’ Hapoel Deal Yet to Materialise

Nigeria international defender Azubuike Egwuekwe has debunked reports that he signed for Israeli club Apoel Tel Aviv.

The Israeli Premier League side announced the deal on their official website on Friday with an accompanying picture of the towering central defender in the club’s jersey No. 3.

“Nigerian Egwuekwe Azubuike landed in Israel in the morning and signed after passing medical tests earlier this week,” read Hapoel statement.

But the Warri Wolves defender has now openly dismissed the report, and has hinted he is not satisfied with the Ligat HaAl club’s offer.

Azubuike Egwuekwe Linked With a Move to Watford, West Ham and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Image: Getty
Azubuike Egwuekwe Linked With a Move to Watford, West Ham and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Image: Getty

“I’ve not signed any contract with any club in Israel. I arrived Israel yesterday and we were going to have talks with them (club) after our training today (Saturday),” Egwuekwe told Radio Nigeria.

“If they are not saying something good that is going to benefit. Then, I will decide to return to Nigeria. What I did yesterday was that I trained for 20 minutes with the team and after they took me to the hotel and I called my national teammate to come and take me out.

“I started hearing news all over Nigeria that I’ve signed for Hapoel Tel Aviv.I was even surprised when people were sending me congratulatory messages to me on Facebook.
“I have not signed for any club and for now I’m still a Warri Wolves player. Maybe after today or tomorrow with whatever discussion have, then I can announce to the press that I’ve signed for the club,” he continued.

“The way things are going, I’m not sure I’m going to continue with them because they are not serious and sincere about what they are doing.

“My club even are even angry with me that why will I go and sign without informing them. I told them that I did not sign anything. But nobody is going to believe me,” he concluded.

There have been reported interests from English clubs Watford and West Ham as regards Eguekwe’s penmanship.