Nigerian Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong has completed his move from PAOK to Al Khalood in Saudi Arabia for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
The transfer fee of €1.2million has been agreed upon by both clubs, and the 30-year-old has also finalized his terms with his new Saudi side.
Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano previously reported that Troost-Ekong was on the verge of joining Al Khalood after successful negotiations between the two clubs and the player.
Although he still has two years remaining on his contract with PAOK, Troost-Ekong seems prepared for a new challenge outside of Europe with Romano reaffirming the transfer in his latest post.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Troost-Ekong and his agent David Moss have traveled to Saudi Arabia to finalize a deal with Al Khalood.
Romano wrote on X: “William Troost-Ekong and his agent David Moss, on their way to Saudi Arabia as he’s signing for Al Khalood.”
This move is expected to be announced officially soon and could be the last major transfer for the MVP of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Troost-Ekong has attracted interest from Saudi Arabian clubs for some time, with Shabab Al-Ahli also making an offer for the defender, as confirmed by Gazzetta Greece.
Shabab Al-Ahli hoped that their manager, Paulo Souza, who previously worked with Troost-Ekong at Salernitana, could help in securing his signature.
However, Souza was let go from Salernitana in October 2023, just four months after Troost-Ekong joined PAOK Salonika in Greece.
The 30-year-old has been in excellent form since the start of the year, contributing to Nigeria’s runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast and earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
Troost-Ekong also secured the Greek Super League title with PAOK FC in the 2023/2024 season.
Who is Troost-Ekong?
William Paul Troost-Ekong is a Nigerian professional footballer who last played as a center-back for Super League Greece club PAOK and captains the Nigeria national team.
Troost-Ekong’s club career
Born into a mixed Dutch and Nigerian family in the Netherlands, Troost-Ekong has exclusively played club football in Europe throughout his career.
After attending football academies at Fulham and Tottenham in England, he began his professional career at clubs in the Netherlands before moving to Belgium and Norway.
Following stints in Turkey and Italy, Troost-Ekong joined Watford in 2020, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League.
He later returned to Italy to play for Salernitana, where he played a key role in helping the club avoid relegation to Serie B.
After his contract lapsed at Watford, Troost-Ekong made a brilliant decision to join Greek club PAOK on a free transfer last year.
This move proved to be fruitful as he earned his first club trophy when PAOK won the Greece Super League.
His international career
Super Eagles defender Troost-Ekong has been making headlines with his impressive performance on the international stage.
Despite initially representing the Netherlands at youth levels, Troost-Ekong eventually chose to don the green and white of Nigeria, a decision that has paid off tremendously.
Troost-Ekong made his senior international debut for the Super Eagles in 2015 and has since become a key player for the national team.
Troost-Ekong played a crucial role in Nigeria’s bronze medal win at the 2016 Beijing Olympics while playing on loan in Norway.
His most recent achievement includes setting a new record for the highest number of goals scored by a defender in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
His tally of five goals at the AFCON 2023 tournament secured him a place in the history books and showcased his versatility and skill on the pitch.
With more than 70 caps to his name, Troost-Ekong continues to be a standout player for the Super Eagles and a source of pride for Nigerian football fans.
