French Ligue 1 side Lille president Olivier Lentang believes new signing Chuba Akpom will strengthen the team after securing the striker’s services on loan from Ajax until the end of the season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 29-year-old Nigerian-born striker joined Les Dogues with an option for a permanent transfer after undergoing a medical on Saturday and watching their 4-1 home victory against AS Saint-Etienne.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce the arrival of Chuba. We have been following him for a very long time, he has played in big clubs and he has experience in European competitions,” Lentang said.
“We had already wanted to bring him in the past but it had not been possible. Chuba is a striker capable of playing in different positions, in several positions on the front of the attack.”
The former Arsenal Academy graduate has scored eight goals this season for Ajax, including four in the Europa League, and will now feature in the Champions League as Lille have qualified for the round of 16.
“He will bring complementary qualities to the current group so that we are even stronger. His human qualities will allow him to integrate very quickly into our squad. Chuba really pushed to join us and we are very happy that he is now part of the Dogues family,” Lentang added.
Akpom expressed his delight at joining the French club.
“I am very happy to be here,” Akpom said.
“LOSC is a big club, one of the best in France, which practices beautiful football and achieves great things in Europe and the league.”
The striker, who will wear the No.24 jersey, arrives as backup for Canadian forward Jonathan David, who has netted 20 goals and provided eight assists across all competitions this season.
Described by the club as a “technical, hard-working, powerful and impactful striker,” Akpom began his career at Arsenal before loan spells at several English clubs including Hull City and Brighton.
The striker could make his debut for Bruno Genesio’s side in Tuesday’s (today) Coupe de France round of 16 clash against Nord rivals Dunkerque.
