Sunday, June 27, 2010
Everton targets Ogbonna to replace Yobo

Pius Ayinor


English club Everton are believed to be readying a £5 million bid to prise Angelo Ogbonna from Torino. Ogbonna is Italian of Nigerian decent. The Daily Mail reports that the Merseyside club view the centre-half as a replacement for Super Eagles vice-captain Joseph Yobo, who is believed to be on his way out of Goodison Park.

[img]http://odili.net/news/source/2010/jun/27/punch/images/pix2006070423492396[1].jpg[/img]
Joseph Yobo

http://odili.net/news/source/2010/jun/27/834.html

Yobo who was a favourite coach David Moyes at the English club did not have quite a good time in the closed season and has opted to move on to another team. Injury and poor form robbed the Nigerian of his regular shirt.

Ogbonna, who can also play at left-back, started his career in his native Cassino before being noted by Torino scouts. He made his professional first team debut in a Serie A league match against Reggina played on February 11, 2007. He then spent the 2007-08 season on loan to Serie C1 side Crotone. In 2008/09, Ogbonna returned to Torino, playing mostly as a backup defender to regulars Natali and Di Loreto.

Ogbonna was on the long list of those who were initially called up to the Nigeria national football team for the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers, but failed to commit his future to Nigeria. He made his debut with the Italy U-21 national team in a friendly game against Russia last year.