By Samuel Bamisebi
Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact has announced the signing of Nigerian U23 Striker Sunusi Ibrahim from 36 Lion FC, Lagos.
Sunusi, who is currently 18 years old, signed a three-year deal with the MLS outfit which will keep him at the side till 2023.
Sunusi Ibrahim played for Nigeria in the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers where he scored against Zambia. He also shot into the limelight after winning the joint top scorer award in the top-flight league in Nigeria, the Nigerian Professional Football League, scoring 10 goals in 22 league appearances with Nasarawa United.
He was formerly linked with a move to Watford. Speaking to sports 247, the president of 36 Lions FC, Hagji Gafar, expressed his delight at the announcement of the transfer. “It’s been a bit tedious and challenging but Sunusi is a warrior, a true Lion! His developmental process in Watford was phenomenal and he would have signed for Watford but for the work permit,” said Hajji Gafar.
“Several European clubs came calling but we chose Montreal Impact because of Sunusi’s bullish style of play. He has a unique way of running at defenders and getting under their skins. Sunusi is a Gladiator and MLS will suit him perfectly as we are sure he will be top among his peers drafted from various Universities in America and Canada. Another early goal which puts us in a win-win situation,” said the president
With this move, Sunusi becomes the fourth African player to play in Thierry Henry’s squad after Victor Wanyama of Kenya, Mustafa Kizza of Uganda, and Clement Diop of Senegal.
