Amanda Mbadi: Nigeria midfielder joins Otu and Balogun at Saint Etienne

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigerian midfielder, Amanda Mbadi has completed her move to newly promoted French D1 Arkema side, Saint Etienne ahead of the 2023/2024 league season.

The former Thonon Evian player joined the 2023 French D2 champions from the French second-tier side, Grand Genève FC. She will wear jersey number 4 at her new club.

The Super Falcon becomes the third Nigerian player at Saint Etienne, joining another midfielder, Regina Otu, and goalkeeper, Yewande Balogun after the departure of Esther Okoronkwo who joined Gift Monday at Spanish Liga F side, UDG Tenerife.

After putting pen to paper with the Green team, Mbadi revealed that her compatriot, Otu introduced Saint Etienne to her after playing against them in the second division last season.

“I am very, very happy to join ASSE (Saint Etienne),” Mbadi said on the club website.

“Regina Otu introduced me to a very professional club, with very good players, some of whom I faced last season. That’s what I found when I arrived here and I can’t wait to evolve with them.”

The arrival of Mbadi increased the number of Nigerian players in the French women’s topflight to seven.

Others include Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC), Nicole Payne (PSG), Tosin Demehin (Stade de Reims), Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims), Regina Otu (Saint Etienne), and Yewande Balogun (Saint Etienne).