Izuchukwu Okosi
Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has officially been announced as a Barcelona player after he joined the club on a free transfer on deadline day. The deal was however ratified on Wednesday.
Former side Arsenal had to terminate the player’s contract, which they agreed to at the last moment.
Aubameyang’s contract runs until the summer of 2025 albeit there is a clause that he could leave in 2023.
Furthermore a buyout clause in his contract reveals that he has a $100m fee inserted in it.
Speaking to Barça TV about his move to the club and his role in the team, the Gabonese striker said, “It’s an honor to be here. I’m here to help and give my best.”
“In the end it was done. It was a very hard day, but in the end, I’m here, looking forward to it and very happy,” said Aubameyang, when being asked about the hectic day.
The Catalans have only the number 25 jersey available at the club. Though the number is usually reserved for goalkeepers, Inaki Pena’s departure has freed it. Aubameyang will take over the number 25 now, as officially confirmed by the club.
Barcelona manager Xavi will be able to count on him for Barcelona’s mega clash against Atletico Madrid this weekend. It is expected that the Gabonese international will start ahead of Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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