Cercle Brugge sign Nigerian winger Tunde Akinsola from AVS Futebol SAD

Cercle Brugge have completed the signing of Nigerian winger Tunde Akinsola from Portuguese club AVS Futebol SAD, with the 23-year-old agreeing a contract until June 2030.

The Belgian Pro League side also have the option to extend the deal by a further year.

Akinsola, who can play on either flank, is expected to add pace, explosiveness and individual quality to Cercle Brugge’s attacking options. He will join up with his new team-mates after the remaining administrative formalities have been completed.

The move marks the latest stage in a European career that began when Akinsola left Nigeria for Sweden as a teenager. He started out with Valiant FC before joining Vasalund at the age of 17.

He moved to Spain in 2022 to join Real Valladolid, initially playing for the club’s reserve side. His performances subsequently earned him promotion to the first-team squad.

Akinsola made his La Liga debut in 2023, appearing as a substitute against Sevilla.

The winger then moved to AVS Futebol SAD on loan at the start of 2024. The Portuguese club later made the transfer permanent during the same year, after which Akinsola became one of their most prominent performers.

His displays for AVS were built around his speed, technical ability and direct approach in attack. Those qualities have now convinced Cercle Brugge to commit to a long-term agreement.

Murchio backs new signing to make an impact

Cercle Brugge technical director Luciano Murchio said Akinsola’s ability to operate in different attacking roles was an important part of the club’s decision to sign him.

“Tunde is a strong one-v-one player who can be very dangerous in the final third and in transition moments,” Murchio told Cercle Brugge’s official website.

“Thanks to his versatility, he can play across several attacking positions and adds extra quality to our offensive options.

“He is the type of attacker who fits the way Cercle wants to play, and we are convinced he will create many dangerous attacking moments.”

Akinsola’s versatility gives Cercle Brugge another option across the forward line, while his pace is expected to complement the club’s attacking approach.

The Belgian club will have to wait until the transfer’s administrative process is complete before the Nigeria-born winger can begin working with his new team-mates.

Akinsola’s move to Cercle Brugge is his fourth European club after Vasalund, Real Valladolid and AVS Futebol SAD. His long-term contract, which runs through June 2030 with a possible additional year, underlines the club’s confidence in his potential.

The deal was reported by Completesports.com.

By Adeboye Amosu