Nigeria defender Abdullahi Bewene extends Banik Ostrava contract amid transfer interest

Nigeria international defender Abdullahi Bewene has signed a new contract with Czech Republic club Banik Ostrava, extending his stay until 2031 despite reported interest from clubs in Belgium and France.

The agreement comes as Bewene is expected to attract further attention ahead of the summer transfer window. Sources say the long-term deal will not prevent a possible move away from Banik Ostrava, with Belgian side Gent and French Ligue 1 club Le Havre among the teams reported to be monitoring him.

Bewene, who made a strong impression on his Nigeria debut in June, featured against Poland and Portugal respectively. His performances for the Super Eagles have increased his profile after he established himself in the first team at Banik Ostrava.

The Czech club said the new contract reflects its belief in the defender’s potential and the progress he has made in recent months.

“Bewene is one of the players with whom we have recently recorded very interesting performance progress. In his case, we are also convinced that he has not yet reached his ceiling.

“He has the parameters for top-level football and by extending his contract, we are therefore ensuring continued cooperation with a player who has the potential to be very important for Banik in the coming seasons. I believe that with this long-term contract with a player who was in great demand on the market, we are showing our ambitions for the future,” said Ludek Miklosko, head of the sports department of FC Banik Ostrava.

The extension gives Banik Ostrava greater contractual security over a player who is already attracting interest from outside the Czech Republic. However, the club’s decision to commit Bewene to a deal running until 2031 is not understood to have changed the possibility of a transfer during the summer.

Gent, from Belgium, and Le Havre, who play in France’s top division, have both been linked with the Nigeria defender. No move has been confirmed.

Bewene’s development began in Abuja, where he was identified at the age of 17. His agent, Jakub Szkibik of CSC AGENCY, said the player’s progress from academy football to the senior ranks at Banik Ostrava and Nigeria had been a source of satisfaction.

“We discovered Bewe at the age of seventeen in the academy in Abuja and we are happy that he gradually worked his way up to the first team of Banik and the Nigerian national team. We greatly appreciate the trust that Banik placed in him years ago,” said the player’s agent Jakub Szkibik from CSC AGENCY.

The new contract therefore marks a show of confidence from Banik Ostrava while leaving open the prospect of Bewene moving on if a suitable offer arrives in the summer. His emergence for Nigeria, following his appearances against Poland and Portugal, has helped make him one of the club’s most sought-after players.