Nigeria Content Online

Newly signed
Nigeria striker, Osaze Odemwingie has been tipped by his new boss at
West Bromwich Albiom to help improve the fortunes of the newly promoted
Premier League club.

The manager, Roberto Di Matteo says he is convinced that the arrival of the Super Eagles player will lift spirits at the club.

“I’m pleased he is
joining us because I’m sure he will be able to help us. He has got
great pace. He’s got a great CV and he’s a good player. We need a few
new faces and it lifts everyone when you see a player like him coming
in,” he told reporters in London.

“He is two-footed
and has good experience at a very high level. He’s played as a striker
and a winger in his career. For example, in France he played very much
up front on his own and for Nigeria he’s played wide and sometimes they
play him up front. He scores goals too which is what we want in the
team.”

West Brom are
currently languishing at the bottom of the English Premier League table
after slumping to a 6-0 defeat to Chelsea on the opening day of the new
season.

Sunderland debut

If other necessary
formalities are completed on time, Odemwingie is expected to play his
first game for the club on Saturday, against Sunderland.

“We are still
sorting out his visa so he’s not here yet. Hopefully he’ll join us as
soon as possible. Whether he will play against Sunderland depends on
when he arrives,” Di Matteo said.

He also added that
he expects the former Lokomotiv striker to be fit a week after he
played for Nigeria in a friendly match and also since he was already
playing in the league in Russia.

Apart from
Odemwingie, West Brom are also hoping to bring in Red Bull Salzburg
winger Somen Tchoyi, but they have had a bid rejected for Portsmouth
defender Marc Wilson.

Sacrificial deal

Meanwhile,
Odemwingie has revealed that he chose the West Brom deal in order to
fulfil his long term ambition of playing in England.

“I was given the
opportunity to stay by Lokomotiv and I was prepared to stay for the
sake of the Russian championship and the Europa league. But the club
understands my desire to play in England and we decided not to
procrastinate.

“I am satisfied
with the financial terms of the West Brom offer. But I made some
concessions compared to the contract I had with Lokomotiv.

“For me, the most
important thing is to realise my dream of playing in England with a
full stadium. West Brom have no problems with attendance.”

Odemwingie joins the legion of Super Eagles players playing in
England. They include Kanu Nwankwo who has also played for West Brom
before; Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Joseph Yobo and Victor Anichebe who all star
for Everton; Mikel Obi of Chelsea and Dickson Etuhu of Fulham