More of an attacking midfielder than no. 9: Bodo/Glimt turn down chance to sign Ibrahim Hafiz Umar

Norwegian Eliteserien champions Bodo/Glimt have passed up the opportunity to sign talented Nigerian teenager Ibrahim Hafiz Umar.

Umar caught the attention of  Bodo/Glimt after making a splash at the Viareggio Cup, where he won the top scorer award after mustering an impressive ten goals in six matches. 

The Viareggio Cup is a prestigious youth tournament with Super Eagles stars past and present, including Christian Obodo, Obafemi Martins, Eddy Onazi and Joel Obi, who all started their professional careers in Europe with Italian clubs using the tournament as a stepping stone to greater things. 

It was speculated that Umar would sign a contract with Bodo/Glimt but the reigning Norwegian champions have opted against offering him a contract after observing him at close quarters this past weekend. 

According to Bodo-based local newspaper Avisa Nordland via NRK, Bodo/Glimt's sporting administrative manager, Håvard Sakariassen, said they consider Umar to fit best into the attacking midfield or number 10 role, while Glimt are in the market for an
out-and-out center forward.

Sakariassen added that he had positive conversations with Umar and his camp during his stay in Norway. 

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report with certainty that Umar's trial at Bodo/Glimt was brokered by Oslo-based Nigerian agent Atta Aneke who looks after former Bodo/Glimt striker Victor Boniface and has close ties to the powers that be at Premier League giants Chelsea. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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