Official : Ex-Liverpool Defender To Cost N18.3B If Release Clause Is Activated

Published: January 30, 2019

Both Championship club Reading and Sporting Clube de Portugal have confirmed that Nigeria-eligible defender Tiago Ilori has completed a move to the Portuguese Primeira Liga outfit.

The transfer fee paid has not been disclosed but the former Portugal U23 star has put pen to paper on a contract that is valid until June 30, 2024, with a 45 million euros (approximately N18.3 billion) release clause inserted into the deal.

Born in London, Ilori spent his formative years as a footballer with the youth team of Sporting CP before he was snapped up by Premier League side Liverpool in 2013.

Speaking after signing the deal, he told Sporting CP's official webpage : ''I am very happy to return to the club that developed me.

"It was here that I lived the happiest years of my career. I arrive with a different maturity than I had when I left the Club.''

In his first spell with Sporting CP, Ilori made 14 appearances in all competitions scoring one goal.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : sporting.pt