Olarenwaju Kayode joins Shakhtar Donetsk on loan

Kayode
Kayode

Shakhtar Donetsk have confirmed the signing of Manchester City striker Olarenwaju Kayode on loan until the end of the season.

After a failed spell with Girona, the Nigerian international opted for the Ukraine and could sign a permanent deal if all goes well at the Donbass Arena.

“It’s an exciting move for me and I feel good about this. This is a massive club and the objectives are clear. I thank God and everyone involved,” Kayode told BBC Sport.

The 24-year-old looked on course to join French Ligue 1 side Amiens before the winter transfer window closed, but the deal broke down due to ‘administrative reasons’, reports Goal.

Kayode joined City from Austria Vienna in August 2017 – arriving as top goalscorer in the Austrian Bundesliga – and was instantly loaned to Girona. He’s scored more than 50 career goals, previously playing for the likes of ASEC Mimosas, AFAD Djékanou, FC Luzern, FC Heartland and Maccabi Netanya.

While contracted with City until 2021, Kayode has a tough task to force his way into the Sky Blues’ attack, given Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are his direct competition. His failure to score during his loan spell with Girona did him no favours either.

Nevertheless, he’ll be hoping for more playing time in the Ukraine so he can replicate his prolific seasons in Israel and Austria – 10 goals in 24 league games for Netanya (2014/15) and 30 goals in 67 league games for Vienna (2015-2017).

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