Arsenal’s Nigerian midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali, has returned to Netherlands second-tier club, MVV Maastricht, on loan after struggling for playing time on loan at top flight side VVV Venlo. Maastricht confirmed Nwakali’s loan move on their official website on Wednesday. After his loan to Maastricht during the 2016/2017 season, Nwakali was sent out on another loan move by Arsenal this time to newly promoted Dutch first division side VVV Venlo for the 2017/2018 campaign.
But Nwakali struggled to feature for VVV Venlo, playing nine of the club’s 19 league games so far, scoring one goal. A statement on Maastricht’s website reads: “Attacking midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali, has returned to the Geusselt Stadium. As in the 2016-2017 season, Nwakali was loaned from Arsenal until the end of the current season.
“The 19-year-old Nwakali is under contract until June 2021 with the English Premier League club. Nwakali played 34 official matches for MVV Maastricht last season , during which he found the net three times.”
Commenting on Nwakali’s return, Maastricht Coach Ron Elsen said:”Last season we have already seen that Kelechi is a multifunctional attacking midfielder, who has a nose for the ‘final pass.
“He plays in attacking and dominant style of play. At VVV Venlo he also showed at Eredivisie level that he can be of value. At MVV Maastricht, however, he can even gain more playing time. We know what we can and should expect from him. This has definitely factored into our decision to bring him back to Maastricht. ”
Nwakali is expected to start playing for MVV Maastricht again as soon as the club secures his work permit.
