Former Golden Eaglets’ FIFA U-17 World Cup- winning captain Kelechi Nwakali has took his trade to the United Kingdom after signing for English third-tier side, Barnsley FC from Portuguese side, from G.D Chaves for an undisclosed fee subject to visa and international clearance.
The club announced that the 26-year-old at Oakwell on a three-year deal from the Portuguese side after making 32 appearances in the Primeira Liga last season.
Kelechi said, “I am very happy to sign for Barnsley Football Club. I spoke to Mladen and the Head Coach Darrell earlier in the summer and I knew that this was an exciting opportunity for me, I know I can bring a lot to the team. I am looking forward to being back in England and making Oakwell my home for the next three years,” Nwakali told the club’s website.
Kelechi started his career at Arsenal after impressing the Gunners at the 2015 U17 World Cup where he won the Golden Ball award as the best player in the tournament.
After various loan spells across Europe, Nwakali joined La Liga side Huesca in 2019 and went on to play for Alcorcón and Ponferradina in Spain before joining Chaves in 2023.
The skilful midfield player represented Nigeria at various youth levels before gaining his first full cap in 2022 at the African Cup of Nations. Kelechi came off the bench for The Super Eagles in wins against Egypt and Sudan in the group stages before starting the final game against Guinea-Bissau with Nigerian side running out 2-0 winners.
Barnsley’s Sporting Director Mladen Sormaz said the club cashed on Nwakali’s desire to return to England, adding his experience across playing in Europe would bolster the fortune of the team as well.
He said: “There is no doubt that Kelechi is a really talented player who can offer Darrell something different. We knew that the player wanted to return to England and that gave us an opportunity to bring him to Oakwell and we believe his experience playing in some of Europe’s top leagues will benefit us over the coming years. He has had a shortened pre-season and we’ll ease him into first team action over the coming weeks. “
