ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Newly-signed Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka has put himself in contention to make his non-competitive debut for his new employers when the Premier League new boys take on Manchester United in a high profile friendly on Wednesday evening.
The Super Eagles star took to social media on Sunday to announce that he has started training with his new teammates at the Bees, accompanied by a photo of him wearing the Brentford training kit.
The former FC Midtjylland star underwent individual training at his past club before sealing a transfer to Brentford, but has not played a game, official and non-competitive, since taking to the pitch against Aarhus GF on May 24, 2021.
Brentford have a one hundred percent record in pre-season, beating Watford, AFC Wimbledon and Boreham Wood, before their trip to Old Trafford.
Onyeka has faced British teams in the past, starting both matches against Glasgow Rangers in Europa League qualifying in August 2019, before starring against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League last season.
Meanwhile, Nigerian-born midfielder Tim Akinola has been given a new shirt number at Arsenal ahead of the forthcoming 2021-2022 season.
Akinola will sport the number 36 at the back of his jersey for Premier League and Papa John’s Trophy matches in the new season, a number worn by another Nigeria-eligible player Ryan Alebiosu in 2020-2021.
Signed from Huddersfield Town last summer, Akinola had previously been wearing the number 61 for EFL Trophy matches.
Akinola has started training recently with his Arsenal U23 teammates having fully recovered not too long ago from a groin injury he suffered at the end of last season.
The 20-year-old Akinola was invited to train with Arsenal first team several times last season.