Finnish giants HJK Helsinki have announced the signing of 18 year old Nigerian forward Etu Francis Gerrald on a three year deal from Lagos based football academy Asaemi FC.
In a statement on the official website of the team, it was announced that the forward was sighted by Hans Lahti a representative of the club during a tournament in Nigeria and was subsequently Invited for trials.
He impressed the coaches of the team starting from the U18s to the reserve team and even the main team. His performance led to the decision to sign him with an agreement that he will join the team officially in January, when the window for registration of new players is opened.
Described as a powerful runner with an eye for goal, he has been invited to the camp Nigeria U20 team by coach Ladan Bosso for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. If selected for the tournament proper he will join the team in March after the tournament.
Per what we gathered from his representative who is simply known as Saula, HJK beat off competition from Swedish side IFK Norrköping to sign the forward. Both teams were keem on him after the tournament in Nigeria where he was sighted.
