Ex-Super Eagles defender backs Etebo to return to his best with Gençlerbirliği S.K

Former Super Eagles centre-back, Samuel Okeremute Sodje, has encouraged Oghenekaro Etebo to return to his best after signing with Turkish second-tier side, Gençlerbirliği S.K, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old central midfielder sustained an Achilles tendon tear in 2021, which kept him out of action for almost a year.

Since his return in 2022, he’s struggled to get back to his feet on the football pitch and spent the 2023/2024 as a free agent after he was released from Stoke City.

Six days ago, the former Watford man put pen to paper with second-tier Turkish side, Gençlerbirliği S.K, on a two-year deal, and Sam Sodje backed Etebo to get to the top of his game with the opportunity he’s been given.

“Injury played a big part in my career as well. Once you’re injured, what’s on your mind is to play, irrespective of the club. If you miss even six months of football, you’re not the same player. Just him playing at all is a cause of happiness, and for a club to give him a two-year contract, he must’ve done his medical, and they can certify that he can handle those two years of football. No club would invest in any player they don’t have faith in. Let’s all pray for him now so that the injury is healed. He knows himself well, and he has to take care of himself. If he’s that good, he’ll get back to the top”, the former West Bromwich Albion said in quotes revealed by Football Live.

Gençlerbirliği kick off their 1.Lig season away to Kocaelispor on Saturday, August 10 at the Yıldız Entegre Kocaeli Stadyumu.