Chelsea's Aina Becomes Most Expensive Nigerian Fullback In History As Torino President Announces Signing

Published: June 10, 2019

Ola Aina is set to ditch his boyhood club Chelsea for Torino this summer, with president of the Italian Serie A side announcing that they have a deal in place for the versatile defender.

Urbano Cairo has confirmed that Torino have taken advantage of a purchase option to sign the Super Eagles star on a permanent deal.

''We’ve redeemed Aina for €10m, as well as Cristian Ansaldi, and Koffi Djidji. Now Torino own all their players,'' Cairo was quoted as saying by Football Italia.

Barring any new development, Aina will become the most expensive Nigerian fullback in history, breaking the record previously held by Celestine Babayaro, who was sold to Chelsea for £2.25 million in 1997.

The former England U19 skipper had a good showing for Torino last season, playing 30 games as they finished seventh on the table.

Aina is set to represent Nigeria in his first major tournament after he was named in the Super Eagles final 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel