Obafemi Martins Set To Make A Return To Football

Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins is set to return to football with his former Chinese Super League side, Shanghai Shenhua, being favorites to sign him.

The 35-year-old last played football a year ago, having been dropped by Shenhua after suffering a hamstring injury.

Should he complete the Shenhua move, his form will be the biggest factor and as it will determine if he will have a successful return or not.

During his first stint at the club, Martins scored 32 goals across all competitions and he won the FA Cup in 2017.

Martins has not played for international football since March 2013 and it has been for the first time that he has found himself without a club since he began his professional career in 2001.

The Lagos-born forward burst into the international limelight at Italian side Inter Milan before switching to Newcastle in August 2006.

Martins scored 35 goals in his three seasons with the Magpies, later joining Birmingham City on loan in 2011.

The forward also had spells in Germany, Russia, Spain and in United States of America where he turned for Seattle Sounders before moving to China.

It will be interesting to see if Martins will be the right replacement of Odion Ighalo, who made a loan move from the Chinese outfit to Manchester United.