The Spanish second level team SD Ponferradina has signed Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali, the club announced on Thursday.

Nwakali’s most recent club, Huesca, in the second tier, cancelled his contract in April of this year.

Ponferradina posted the following statement on their website:

“Kelechi Nwakali (Owerri, Nigeria, 1998) is a new player for SD Ponferradina.

“The new Blue and White midfielder will thus continue his career in LaLiga SmartBank, in which he has competed in the last two seasons with AD Alcorcón and SD Huesca.

Read Also:Ajax Confirm Signing Of Calvin Bassey From Rangers

“Kelechi began his career at the Diamond Football Academy in his country.

“His qualities caught the attention of Arsenal FC, who signed him for their under-23 team in 2016.

“Later, he played on loan at MVV Maastrich in the second division of the Netherlands and at VVV Venlo, with whom he competed in the Dutch top flight.

“In the 18-19 campaign he joined FC Porto, who enrolled him in their B team.

“For the following campaign he departed Arsenal FC and began his career in Spanish football.

” SD Huesca signed him which saw the club gain promotion to LaLiga Santander.

“After making his debut in the top flight in the 20/21 season, in the winter market of that year he joined AD Alcorcón on loan, where he became a regular starter and participated in 18 games.

Last season, back at SD Huesca, he played in 19 league games and 2 Copa del Rey games. In addition, he is a full international with Nigeria,” Ponferradina stated.

After Huesca terminated his contract, Nwakali issued a statement through his official Twitter account criticizing the way the club’s sporting director, Rubén Garca, and SD Huesca treated him beginning in December 2021, including by pressuring him not to go to the Africa Cup of Nations even though he had been called up and by paying his wages late.

He was forced to sign a new contract in order to receive the wages he was owed, and attempts were made to transfer him out of the club. Ultimately, he was suspended and prohibited from attending club practices.