TheCable

Super Eagles striker Emem Eduok says he pulled the plug off his transfer to Sarpsborg 08 after the Norwegian club could not secure his release from his club Dolphins.

Speaking through their sporting director Thomas Berntsen,Sarpsborg 08 said that the player signed a four-year pre-contract deal with them and that he was signed from A&B Academy and not from Dolphins.

But Eduok, who has now signed a three-and-half-year deal with Tunisian side Esperance, has revealed why he reneged on his earlier agreement with Sarsborg 08.

“The truth is that, I signed with the Norwegian club. I will not lie about it. But of what benefit would it be when I cannot get my ICT to play for the club,” he told AfricanFootball.com.

“I opted out of the deal when I realised that the agent did not get the clearance required for me to talk to the club from my present club Dolphins.

“I have played the last three or four seasons with Dolphins and am a Dolphins player. It would be wrong for me to go behind them and sign a deal. If I do that, who would give me my ICT to move.

“I will not lie; I signed for the Norwegian club, but I opted out because the agent didn’t get the blessing of my club. I hear he said I am A&B Academy player, No! I have been with Dolphins in the last four seasons.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sated its intention to wade into the transfer controversy.

“Look at the cloud of controversy over the transfer of one of our brightest stars, Emem Eduok,” Amaju Pinnick, NFF boss, said.

“That is a shame and should not happen. We will investigate this matter and come up with recommendations. Whoever is found culpable will have questions to answer.”

Eduok had a great season with Dolphins in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), scoring 20 league goals and five in the Federation Cup.