Francis Uzoho: Nigeria Goalkeeper Joins Apoel On Three-Year Deal

Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has joined Cyprus giants Apoel FC from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna on a three-year deal.

The 21-year-old was in books of Cypriot First Division outfit Omonia Nicosia for the 2019-20 campaign but was restricted to just five outings.

A lack of top-flight football cost him his place as Nigeria’s first-choice keeper ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, becoming third choice behind Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

He will now be aiming to garner regular playing time with Apoel ahead of the Super Eagles’ participation in the upcoming 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“Deportivo La Coruna and Apoel FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of the Nigerian international goalkeeper Francis Uzoho to the Cypriot team,” read his former club statement.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “We wish Francis the best of luck in this new professional project and thank him for his great work while defending the colours of Dépor in previous seasons.”   [/perfectpullquote]

Uzoho is a product of Qatar-based Aspire Academy and rose through the ranks at Deportivo La Coruna before making his LaLiga debut against Eibar on October 5, 2017.

In the first half of the 2018-2019 campaign, Uzoho was on loan at Elche, where he posted three shutouts in 8 matches while conceding 11 goals.

Uzoho was part of the victorious Nigeria squad at the 2013 Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, albeit without playing a single minute at the tournament.

Capped 16 times by Nigeria, he played all three matches as the Super Eagles were knocked out of the 2018 World Cup in the group stage.

Additional information: BBC