Nigeria Players Abroad
Simy Nwankwo set for career revival as Nigerian striker nears CFR Cluj switch
By Dayo Awoniyi
Super Eagles forward Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo, popularly known as Simy, is on the verge of sealing a return to competitive football after parting ways with Italian Serie A outfit Salernitana in July.
The 33-year-old striker, who has been without a club for two months, is now in advanced negotiations with Romanian champions CFR Cluj over a one-year deal, with an option for an additional season.
According to reports, Simy has already given his approval in principle to the move, with final details expected to be wrapped up before the close of the summer transfer window.
Should the deal be completed, this will mark Simy’s first stint in Eastern Europe, after a career that has largely seen him ply his trade in Portugal and Italy.
Simy’s professional journey began in Nigeria before he moved abroad, turning out for Gil Vicente and Portimonense in Portugal, before making his name in Italy with Crotone.
He enjoyed his most prolific spell during the 2020/21 Serie A season, when he netted 20 league goals, setting a record as the highest-scoring Nigerian in a single Serie A campaign.
At Salernitana, Simy featured 27 times in the 2023/24 season, registering six goals and two assists. Though his time in Salerno ended quietly, his ability to score crucial goals remains widely acknowledged.
Now edging closer to a move to CFR Cluj, a club renowned for its dominance in Romanian football and consistent presence in European competitions, Simy is poised for a career revival and to bring valuable experience to the Transylvanian side’s frontline.
