He is a thoroughbred professional- Lobi's Mike Idoko hails departed Okpotu

Lobi Stars vice chairman, Mike Idoko has hailed the professionalism of his former player, Anthony Okpotu who just secured a move to the Moroccan Bolota league.

Okpotu who was the highest scorer in the Nigerian league last season with 19 goals completed his switch to Difaa Hassani d’el-Jadidi on a three-year deal.

The striker featured for the Super Eagles at the 2018 African Nations Championship and it was believed that the player was scouted by the club during the competition.

Idoko said that they didn’t hesitate to release him at the crucial stage of Lobi Stars season because he has served them meritoriously and has remained a core professional both in and off the pitch.

“It was an emotional moment for us to allow him to leave after the years he has spent with us. he was an important player to us and was a thoroughbred professional,” Idoko told Goal.

“We knew he deserved to secure a club abroad with the way he has offered his services to Lobi Stars and it was the reason we didn’t hold him back when he told us of his desire to play for the Moroccan club. We wish him the very best and pray that he fulfils his mission to his new club.

“Players in the mould of Okpotu are very rare and it was the reason we didn’t put too many stringent procedures to ease his move to Morocco. We are praying that he makes a success out of his trip there. We will miss his selfless service to the club.”

Idoko further expressed that the striker’s services would be missed as they look forward to the remaining part of the league season with confidence that they can secure their second their league title.

“We are going to miss him because his presence in the team has served as motivation to other players in a season that we are expecting to win the league title but we know that other players will step up their performances,” he continued.

“We felt it was the ideal time for him to leave and we are glad that we have been able to sell him to the Moroccan club. Other details about his contract to his new club will be communicated to the press later on.

Okpotu tried his luck with Brondby of Denmark in April this year but he was not offered a contract despite the rave review he got from the Superliga side.

He played for Al Ittihad of Libya in 2013 through 2015 before he rejoined his boyhood club, Lobi Stars and his 19 goals was enough to top the league’s scorers’ chart last season.