Former AS Monaco of France left-back, Elderson Uwa Echijelie has taken his search for a career revival to HJK Helsinki of Finland; which has been known to dwell on a rich tradition of signing Nigerian players in recent years.
Sports247.ng reports that Echiejile is bound to follow in the pattern enacted recently by Taye Ismaila Taiwo (The Tornado) and Nnamdi Vincent Oduamadi (Robinho) in signing dotted lines with the reigning Veikkausliiga champions.
The product of Insurance FC of Benin City has already turned up in Helsinki ahead of a potential move and joined the squad on a trip to Antalya, Turkey for their pre-season training camp.
HJK’s manager, Mika Lehkosuo wants to observe Echiejile under tight conditions, before deciding whether to give the 31-year-old defender a deal, since he has been inactive since leaving Monaco before the summer transfer window slammed shut.
The onus is now on Echiejile, who has also played for Sporting Braga of Portugal, Stade Rennes of France, Standard Liege of Belgium, Sporting Gijon of Spain and Cercle Brugge of Belgium, to make the best of game time he finds during HJK’s tour of Turkey.
It is a return to the country where Echiejile recently played for Sivasspor in the Turkish Super Lig, such that he should feel on familiar terrain in his efforts to convince HJK that he deserves a deal, during the drills from last Thursday to Saturday March 9.
