PETALING JAYA: Throughout the years, Perak have always shone with some fine African strikers – names like Nduka Ugbede, Frank Seator and Keita Mandjou come to mind.
These skilful hitmen lighted up the Perak Stadium in Ipoh and always inspired the Seladang with their goalscoring prowess.
So when telecommunications company XOX took over the club middle of last year, fans clamoured for them to sign a striker from that region.
They’ve got their wish now – Perak have snapped up Nigerian striker Christian Obiozor from Lebanese club Tadamon Sour.
The 28-year-old comes with the reputation of having been a Nigerian international, featuring for them three times from 2013 to 2015.
He started his career with Nigerian club Ocean Boys in 2012 before moving on to other clubs like Enugu Rangers (2013-2014), Kano Pillars (2015) and Enyimba (2015-2019).
In 2019, he made his first overseas move by joining Tunisian club Stade Gabesien and three years later, he moved to Shabab Sahel before heading to Tadamon.
It is learnt that Obiozor also attracted the interest of other Super League clubs like Selangor and Terengganu, but it looks like he is keen on challenging himself with Perak this season.
This will be his first foray into South-East Asian football after a season in the Middle East.
“The club signed me to score goals but my first priority is to help them grow and win games. That’s my aim with Perak and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.
Standing at an imposing 1.92m (6’2”), Obiozor certainly has the edge in aerial challenges, but he’s also noted for his impressive technique and pace.
With those qualites, he should be a welcome addition to Perak’s foreign cast comprising midfielders Sunday Afolabi from Nigeria and Luciano Guaycochea from Argentina.
The Seladang’s other new signings are fullbacks Felix Adriano, Osywn Lim, Raja Imran Shah and midfielders A. Shivan Pillay, Fahmi Daniel Zaaim, Faris Izdiham, Ikhwan Hafizo, Amirul Husaini, Shafizi Iqmal and Syukri Baharun.
