By Daily Sports on April 22, 2020
Former Nigeria international Vincent Enyeama has revealed that he rejected offers from top English clubs Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper, who helped Nigeria win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, is a free agent having parted ways with French side Lille OSC in August 2018.
Enyeama attracted interest from European clubs after impressing at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals where Nigeria reached the round of 16.
“Arsenal wanted me for second choice, but I was not interested. I also had an offer from Tottenham that wanted me for second choice also and I wasn’t interested,” Enyeama told ESPN.
“It was after the 2006 Nations Cup and then again around the 2014 World Cup. When I turned them down, that is when they [Arsenal] took David Ospina.
“For me, I was at the stage where I preferred playing even if it was for one of the smallest teams. That is what the agents that were involved told me. That Arsene (Wenger) wanted me but he is not so sure because of my height and things like that. People have their choices and I respect their choices.”
Enyeama had successful trials with English side Bolton Wanderers in the early 2000s, but he was not signed by the former Premier League club.
“I am still wondering why I didn’t sign. It was a trial that went so well. They even told me I was going to get jersey number 35. All that was left was just to do the medicals,” he said.
“I was supposed to be number three, because Bolton had two goalkeepers already, with Jussi Jaaskelainen as number one.
“But I don’t regret it because it gave me the opportunity to go to Israel. I am so happy that I went to Israel because it opened doors for me.” (ESPN)
•PHOTO: Vincent Enyeama
Source Daily Sports
Posted April 22, 2020
You may also like...
I’ll give my life to Madrid’s success, says...
Foes reunited as Mourinho, Ranieri meet at Wembley...
Odion Ighalo Scores in Shanghai Shenhua’s Loss to...
Volleyball Premier League: Customs, NSCDC Remain Unbeaten
Manchester United Beat Belgrade To Qualify For Europa...
FIFA To Introduce Rules Protecting Female Players
El-Rufai Will Be Used to Bring Down APC Just as Wike Was Used to Destabilise PDP- Chieftain Says
PDP to bring Peter Obi, Opposition in for 2027
I was never interested in joining Tinubu government – El-Rufai
PDP Crisis: We Lost Last Election Because Atiku Was Too Cocky — Ex-Lawmaker
Handball: Nigeria get USA, Azerbaijan, Moldova in U-23 tourney
NPFL: Remo complete comeback against Warriors, go eight points clear
‘APC Cannot Afford To Lose El-Rufai To Rival Party, His Is Smarter Than Tinubu’s Ministers’– Igbokwe
“El-Rufai: PDP Being Destroyed From Within” — Claims Internal Mercenaries Hired To Kill Opposition Party
Eagles will be ready for AFCON 2025 – Ekong
Lookman feared out for one month
Chelle focused on W’Cup qualifiers after AFCON draw
Ferdinand urges United to sign Osimhen
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (55,265 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,419 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,448 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,096 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,046 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,026 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,843 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,406 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,496 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,146 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,584 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,014 views)