Official: Southampton confirm departure of Super Eagles star on loan to Trabzonspor

Paul Onuachu signed for Southampton from Belgian side KRC Genk in January but failed to settle down at St Mary’s Stadium, scoring no goal in 11 appearances for them last campaign

Championship side, Southampton have confirmed the departure of Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu on a season-long loan to Turkish side Trabzonspor, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 29-year-old joined Southampton for £18m from Jupiler Pro League side KRC Genk in January.

But he has failed to settle down at the St Mary’s Stadium, scoring no goal in his 11 Premier League appearances for them last campaign before they suffered relegation to the Championship at the end of the season.

He has made one appearance for the Saints this season, coming on in the 68th minute in their 3-1 defeat at Gillingham in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

However, Southampton have confirmed that the Nigerian forward will be joining Turkish outfit Trabzonspor on a season-long loan, and he is subjected to an international clearance for the deal to be completed.

Before his move to Southampton, Onuachu was on a good run of form in the first part of the 2022/23 season, bagging 16 goals from 19 games, and a total of 85 goals in 185 games in his four years stay in Belgium.

Onuachu was left out of Jose Peseiro’s Super Eagles squad that defeated Sao Tome and Principe in their final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday.

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Southampton Striker Joins Turkish Giants, Gets Warm Welcome at Airport

Southampton striker Paul Onuachu has joined Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor on loan for the rest of the 2023/24 season.

Onuachu was unable to prevent Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League last season and has found himself surplus to requirements at St. Mary’s.

A move back to Genk was suggested, but Southampton have now agreed a loan deal with Trabzonspor.

The towering 6 ft 7 in striker was filmed outside of an airport after landing in Turkey over the weekend wearing a Trabzonspor shirt and joining in celebrations with supporters who had gathered to welcome him.

The Turkish transfer window is open until September 15, so English clubs have until then to offload players before finalising their squads.

Onuachu underwent a medical and has put pen to paper to his new deal.

Trabzonspor also signed another of Southampton’s failed January transfers earlier in the window with the purchase of Croatian winger Mislav Orsic.

The wide man suffered a serious knee injury during training, however, and is set to be out for months.

They have also recruited free agent Nicolas Pepe, who left Arsenal on Friday after his contract was terminated.

The Ivory Coast international signed for the Gunners for a club record £72 million in August 2019 and made 112 appearances in all competitions.