Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that 2015 Nigeria U17 World Cup-winning defender Lukman Zakari has completed a move to La Liga side Real Betis from Latvian top flight club Metta.

On Monday, August 19, the highly-rated central defender committed his future to the Andalusian club until the end of the 2021-2022 season, having penned a three-year contract following a successful medical.

Zakari was set for a big move following a string of fine performances for Metta, making the Team of the Week on several occasions.

Speaking to allnigeriasoccer.com shortly after signing the contract, Zakari said : '' I am very happy to get this opportunity to play for Real Betis, all I need to do is to work hard and achieve my aim of coming here.

''I never expected to come here but football is about giving your best and you will see the result.

''I am very happy about this move and I want to thank my manager, parents and everybody that supported me in this journey. ''

The deal that took the 20-year-old to Real Betis was brokered by his agent, John Chibuzo Nwankpa of JCN-Johnson Sports Management & Marketing Agency Poland.

Zakari will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Finidi George, Nosa Igiebor and Victor Ikpeba who previously played for the first team of Real Betis.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel