After nearly a decade making his mark in Italian football, Nigerian striker and Super Eagles international Simy Nwankwo has moved to the Turkish Super Lig. Signing for Sakaryaspor as a free agent. The move marks a new chapter for the 32-year-old. People best remember him for his prolific goal-scoring record in Italy. But also for his role with Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Simy’s arrival at Sakaryaspor signals his first spell in Turkey. He brings top-flight experience and a goal scorer’s pedigree to a team which has been promoted to the Super Lig only two years ago. Joining as a free agent, the 6’6″ striker is poised to provide both leadership and attacking firepower.
Simy first arrived in Italy in 2016, signing with FC Crotone. Over the next six seasons, he established himself as a cult hero and record-breaker. Simy scored 64 league goals in 152 appearances, becoming Crotone’s all-time leading scorer. After Crotone, Simy joined Salernitana and had short stints at Parma and Benevento,
Simy’s best season came in 2020–21 with Crotone in Serie A, when he netted an outstanding 20 goals. It was a Nigerian record for a single top-five European league campaign at the time. This remarkable haul meant he scored 44% of Crotone’s league goals that season and drew attention from clubs across Europe. He was previously the top scorer in Serie B during the 2019–20 campaign. Registering 20 goals and helping the club to promotion.
Internationally, Simy made four appearances for the Nigerian national team in 2018. He was a part of the Super Eagles’ squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He made his tournament debut against Croatia and also featured in the match against Argentina.
As Simy joins Sakaryaspor as a seasoned free agent, Turkish football fans will be eager to see if he can replicate the goal-scoring feats that made him a household name in Italy. With a wealth of experience and a keen eye for goal, Simy’s move to the Turkish Super Lig is one of the more intriguing moves in the summer transfer window.