One-cap Super Eagles defender Valentine Ozornwafor has joined French second division club Sochaux on loan from Belgian side Royal Charleroi Sporting Club.
Sochaux confirmed Ozornwafor’s loan signing in a statement on their website.
The statement read: Valentine Ozornwafor, a 23-year-old left-handed central defender, joined the FCSM after passing the usual medical examination. The Nigerian International is on loan (with option to buy) from the Royal Charleroi Sporting Club.
“Valentine Ozornwafor was born on June 1, 1999 in Nsukka, Nigeria. Spotted during the “Brown Ideye Challenge” (named after the former FCSM striker) in 2017, the 18-year-old defender joined the ranks of Enyimba FC and was called up to the Nigeria U20 team to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations.
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“Galatasaray Spor Kulübü observed his qualities during the U20 World Cup they played in the spring of 2019 and recruited him for four seasons in July 2019. Valentine Ozornwafor was first loaned to Spain, at UD Almería and played five matches (scored one goal) with the club.
“Returning to Galatasaray for a season, he became a Nigerian International on June 4, 2021 against Cameroon. He joined the Royal Charleroi Sporting Club a few weeks later on loan for the 2021/2022 season.
“Valentine Ozornwafor won with the Zèbres in the second half of the season, playing 17 games (including 16 as a starter) in the Belgian top flight.
“By joining FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, Valentine Ozornwafor will not be the first Nigerian to play there. Before him were Wilson Oruma, Brown Ideye and another defender, winner of the Coupe de France in 2007, Rabiu Afolabi.“
