Forgotten African Superstar Finds New Club After 505 Days

• Wilfried Bony has not played in a professional football match since 2020, when he left Al-Ittihad
• The 33-year old has finally found a new club, as Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen announced his signature on Thursday, January 27
• Bony was once Africa’s most expensive player when he was acquired by Manchester City from Swansea in 2015

Former Manchester City and Swansea striker Wilfried Bony has finally landed a new club after 505 days as a free agent.

Bony, who was once the most expensive African player, confirmed on Thursday, January 27 that he had joined Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.

Bony told the NEC club website:

"I am happy to join NEC.

"After Ted van Leeuwen, with whom I have always maintained good contact, asked me to work in Nijmegen, I made a well-considered decision to sign for NEC."

It initially seemed that the 33-year old’s career was on its deathbed, especially after a torrid spell with Al-Ittihad, who he signed for in 2020.

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But as per the club’s website, Bony says his story is not over yet, and is determined to find his love for football again.

Bony said:

"After the termination of my contract in Saudi Arabia, I was not ready to quit football.

"In the Netherlands, I had a good time and I am very happy that I get the chance to play in the Eredivisie.

"While I am aware that this is a sensitive switch for some, I expect to get a fair chance to present myself in a positive way to our supporters."

Back in Netherlands

Bony is no stranger in Dutch football as it is there that he made a name for himself.

European giants started to take notice of him when he played for Vitesse, scoring 31 goals in 30 matches in the 2012/13 campaign.

That season, he was the Eredivisie's top scorer and was awarded the Dutch Footballer of the Year.

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His goal-scoring prowess would eventually attract the interest of Swansea City, who signed him in 2013.

But his biggest transfer was yet to come as two years later, Bony joined Manchester City for 32 million euros, making him the most expensive African footballer at the time.

Unfortunately, his time at Manchester City was fairly dull and this led to him making moves across the UK and the Middle East before eventually settling at his latest club Al-Ittihad in 2020.

His new club NEC currently lie ninth in the Dutch top flight league standings.

Traore to join Barcelona on loan

In other news, Adama Traore is set to complete a loan move to Barcelona from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Barcelona are interested in bringing the winger back to the Nou Camp on an initial loan deal, with the option to sign him permanently at the end of the season.

This brings to an end any possibilities of Traore moving to Tottenham Hotspur, who had initially had a bid for the winger rejected.