What Super Eagles striker Sadiq said after completing loan move to Valencia

Umar Sadiq was officially presented as a new player of six-time Spanish champions Valencia on Saturday afternoon.

The Nigeria international has joined Valencia on loan for the remainder of the season with a non-binding purchase option.

Sadiq arrived at Real Sociedad in September 2022 with the difficult task of replacing Alexander Isak, who was sold to Premier League club Newcastle United. 

However, the former Almeria goal poacher's 28-month stint at Real Sociedad was blighted by injuries and loss of form, and he is departing the White and Blues on a temporary basis with four goals in 50 appearances across all competitions.

After three weeks of negotiations with the Mestalla club, the transfer was finalized in a hectic three-day period where the striker slept in Valencia on Thursday, completed his medical on Friday, and watched Valencia face Real Madrid at Mestalla.

In quotes relayed by Valencia's official website, Sadiq said during his presentation: "When I started talking to Miguel Ángel Corona, I realised that there was a lot in common between Valencia CF and me, because I have a lot of hunger. I have also seen that, due to the situation of the club, there is also a lot of hunger here, and I saw this coinciding in motivation that made me choose to come here.

"They have been in contact with me for about three weeks now. Valencia CF are one of the biggest clubs in Spain and we are both in the same situation of hunger and growth.

"It is true that Valencia CF's position at the moment is not where they normally are. Valencia CF are hungry, as was shown yesterday against Real Madrid, but we were unlucky."

Sadiq confirmed that he is in tip-top condition after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury that kept him sidelined for almost the whole of the 2022-2023 season.

"I suffered a serious knee injury. I was at my best before, but now I feel 100% physically, what I need is regular football.

"As a striker, what I want is to score goals and get the best results possible."

On January 7, Sadiq will aim to feature in his first competitive match for Valencia when they face Eldense in the Copa del Rey.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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