Newly capped Nigeria international forward Salim Fago Lawal is on the verge of completing a transfer from Croatian club NK Istra 1961 to Czech side Viktoria Plzen, as exclusively confirmed by OwnGoalNigeria.com.
The 22 year old, who has earned two senior caps for Nigeria, was part of the Super Eagles squad at the recently concluded AFCON after rising from the U-20 team two years ago. He also made his senior debut in a 2-1 friendly defeat to Egypt ahead of the tournament.
Sources gathered by OwnGoalNigeria.com reveal that the deal is valued at €3 million including add ons, with a 10 percent sell on clause included. The transfer represents a significant sale for the modest Croatian club, who moved quickly to secure the powerful forward following his impressive displays for Nigeria at the U20 World Cup.
Reports linking Salim Fago with Qarabağ have been dismissed, with the player expected to arrive in the Czech Republic within the next 24 hours to complete the move, barring any unforeseen complications.
So far this season, Salim Fago has featured 19 times for NK Istra 1961 across the HNL Championship and the Croatian Football Cup. He has scored seven goals, provided two assists and logged over 1,476 minutes of action.
The move comes shortly after another Nigerian forward, 23 year old Rafiu Durosinmi, completed a record breaking transfer from Viktoria Plzen to Italian side Pisa. Durosinmi sealed an €11 million deal, becoming Pisa’s most expensive signing and ending his two year stay in the Czech Republic, where his rapid rise and goalscoring form drew strong interest from across Europe earlier in January.
