Ex-Chelsea Trialist Onazi Confirms Redknapp Wanted To Sign Him For Tottenham Hotspur

Super Eagles assistant captain Eddy Onazi has confirmed that manager Harry Redknapp wanted to sign him when he was coaching Tottenham Hotspur.

As previously reported by allnigeriasoccer.com, Onazi had successful trials at both Chelsea and Spurs in 2010 after he was recommended by John Shittu, Mikel's agent, but both London clubs passed up the opportunity to sign him due to work permit concerns.

The central midfielder is close to a move to England, with Trabzonspor and Birmingham City reaching a club-to-club agreement over his transfer.

''Redknapp first wanted to sign me when he was in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, but for some reasons he couldn’t,'' Onazi said.

''He has called me to say he wants big, experienced players to help his team gain promotion back to the Premier League.''

Onazi was not in the Trabzonspor squad that beat Konyaspor on the opening weekend of the Turkish Super Lig, fueling speculation that his transfer to The Blues is almost done and dusted.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel