Inter Milan News: Victor Obinna Joins Lokomotiv Moscow
Lokomotiv Moscow have signed former Inter striker Victor Obinna on a free transfer, according to his agent Tony Adele. The player was in the last year of his contract and the Milan club decided not to activate a clause that would have seen him remain at the San Siro. They instead chose to let him go and pursue more playing opportunities elsewhere.
Obinna’s agent spoke to AFP, and he said-
“Obinna has signed a four-year contract with Locomotiv and he has passed his medical in Moscow.”
The exact amount of the transaction fee involved is not known, although it is believed to be somewhat similar to the offer made by Galatasaray.
Obinna never cemented a place in the Inter starting eleven in his time there, and was sent on an ill-fated loan spell to West Ham last season, and an unspectacular loan spell to Malaga before that. Although he showed sporadic flashes of brilliance, none more so than his majestic performance against Manchester United in the Carling Cup where West Ham won 4-0, they were flashes nonetheless. He wasn’t consistent, much like West Ham, and inter decided that he needed to move to newer pastures.
He moves to Lokomotiv just one year after fellow Nigerian Peter Odemwingie left the club for West Brom. That move will have unpleasant memories for it was followed by racial abuse directed towards the striker by some sections of the Lokomotiv crowd.
Obinna, a Nigerian international, has scored 8 times in 38 appearances since his debut in 2006. He seemed excited about the move when he spoke to BBC Sport, and said that the Russian had a great, ambitious plan and he wanted to be part of it.
He said-
“I have played in Italy, Spain and England but Russia provides a different challenge and I am totally braced for it,”
“The life of a footballer comes with challenges every day – I see this as another opportunity to experience a different country and league.”
He said that many clubs were interested in him, but Lokomotiv were the first party to come up with a concrete offer.
“Many clubs were reportedly interested but only Lokomotiv Moscow came with a concrete offer,”
“There is no point dreaming or waiting for speculations to become a reality, so once Lokomotiv spoke with my representatives – we had to listen.
“The club is ambitious, they have a great plan and I want to be a part of the success story.
“I will give my best and hopefully that will compliment the efforts of others to make it a successful time in Russia and Europe.”
Obinna will hope that he will finally be able to fulfill his potential in Russia. It will be interesting to see what transpires.