Nigeria's World Cup defender William Troost-Ekong has described his move to Italian club Udinese as the completion of "a great summer."

The 24-year-old signed a four-year deal with the Italians on Friday from Turkish side Bursaspor, where he scored three goals in 32 games and has been included in a 22-man squad for Sunday's season opener at Parma.

Dutch-born Ekong played all three matches for Nigeria in Russia and scored in his final game for Bursaspor last weekend.

"It's been a long journey and this move to Udinese completes a great summer for my career," Troost-Ekong told BBC Sport.

"I played in my first World Cup, became a father for the first time and now have the chance to begin a new chapter in Italian football.

"I have had amazing support around me to get here, including at the national team and club level. I thank God and everyone for the support," he added.

Troost-Ekong started his career with the Tottenham Hotspur youth side in England before returning to the Netherlands to join Groningen in 2013 and played on loan at Dordrecht, before a switch to Belgian club Gent in 2015.

He had a successful season-long loan stint at Norway's FK Haugesund in the 2015/16 season, followed by eight appearances for Gent before his quest for regular first-team football led to a move to Turkey last summer.

The centre-back was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father, making him eligible for both countries.

He represented the Netherlands at youth level before switching allegiance to Nigeria and made his debut for the three-time African champions in a match against Chad on 13 June 2015.

He won Olympic football bronze with Nigeria at the 2016 Rio Games and has scored once in 24 appearances for the Super Eagles.


https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45234190