IT’S no longer news that Austin Amutu has left Malaysian side Kelantan FC. The very striker currently plying his trade with Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona has been linked with a move to Arsenal by none other than himself.
Amutu, who started his playing career with youth team Karamone, later joined Mighty Jets of Jos where he started exploding his talents, winning a lot of honours and awards such the Best Striker of the team, team’s Highest Goal scorer ever for in a season.
He was also the youngest best striker of Mighty Jets ever signed. He made his way to limelight which spiked up interest from teams locally and internationally but Warri Wolves were lucky to convinced the powerful and ball shield attacker.
In December 2012, English Premier League Club Arsenal sent a delegate to Nigeria to scout for exceptional youth players. Arsenal’s delegate sent to Nigeria watched two consecutive live games in 2012 where Amutu scored brace in the CAF Continental against Black Leopards and against Abia Warriors. But the deal could not go through due to his lack of 75% appearance in Nigeria international games for two consecutive years then.
Also this made some teams eye his signings but Warri Wolves have been turning down interest proposal from professional teams in Europe, North Africa and Asia. His club is seeking for high transfer fee.
In April 2015, Amutu signed a loan deal from Warri Wolves to Malaysian club Kelantan during April transfer window. He impressed the fans after he scored a goal in the 9th minutes of his debut game against Johor Darul Ta’zim F.C. in which they lost 1-3.
On May 16 , he came in from the bench to score two goals for Kelantan FA in Malaysia FA Cup semi final against Pahang FA and claimed them the spot for 2015 Malaysia FA Cup Final against LionsXII. Although they only ended up as the runner up after 1-3 loss in the final where he was only brought in after the second half.
He was called up to Nigeria U-23 Dream team squad for the 2014 Olympic games qualifiers where he scored goals.
Austin was also selected for Nigeria dream team VI squad at the 2015 Nigeria Super 6 Tournament.
His agent Ramone Remmie told National Dailysports that the bulky striker is excited about his move and would want to use it as a spring board for better things.
The striker was part of Samson Siasia’s squad at the Super Four Invitational Tournament in Abuja before his sojourn to Malaysia.
Amutu, the Nigeria Under-23 international, told national dailysports that Arsenal had shown interest in him previously, but this time he was “not far away” from making the dream move to north London.
He said he has signed till the end of the season and has been handed jersey No 29.