Kelechi Nwakali is confident of doing very well at Barnsley with the Nigerian midfielder saying ‘I know I can bring a lot to the team’.
Nwakali said this on Monday after Barnsley confirmed his signing from G.D Chaves for an undisclosed fee subject to visa and international clearance.
“I am very happy to sign for Barnsley Football Club. I spoke to Mladen and the Head Coach Darrell earlier in the summer,” he said.
“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.”
The 26-year-old arrives at Oakwell on a three-year deal from Portuguese side, Chavez after making 32 appearances in the Primeira Liga last season.
Nwakali started his career at Arsenal after impressing the Gunners at the 2015 Under-17 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 of Portugal in 2023.
The former Arsenal apprentice is desperate to prove a point in a career that definitely still promises a whole lot.
He told the club during his unveiling: “In my career, I need to prove a point again. Coming here, it’s time to prove myself to the world and have an impact on the club.”
Barnsley finished sixth on the EFL League One (the third level of the English football league system) table last season.
Nwakali would either hope to inspire Barnsley’s promotion to the Skybet Championship or perform very well to attract Premier League clubs.
