July 26, (THEWILL) – Real Sociedad has announced that Super Eagles striker, Sadiq Umar, will be donning the number 19 jersey for the upcoming season.
The Nigerian player has been given this jersey following the departure of Alexander Sorloth to Villarreal. Umar, who joined Real Sociedad last summer for a record-breaking €20 million, showed great promise until he suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the rest of the previous season. With his recent return to full action, Coach Imanol Alguacil will be hoping for a swift return to form as the club prepares for a busy season, including UEFA Champions League football.
Umar’s journey at Real Sociedad has been marked by both highs and setbacks. The 26-year-old striker scored on his debut for the Spanish La liga side after his transfer from Almeria last summer. However, a severe knee injury during his third game against Getafe abruptly cut his season short. The injury kept him out for nearly 10 months until recently. In his first game back against Sporting CP, he was substituted at half-time but not before making a strong case for a return to the starting lineup.
The number 19 jersey, formerly worn by Sorloth, has now been passed on to Umar. Sorloth, the Norway international, recently completed a move to Villarreal, creating this opportunity for Umar to step into his shoes. Alguacil will have seen enough to know that Umar’s attacking talents can be a game-changer for the team, especially as they gear up for a challenging season that includes Champions League fixtures.
With Umar now fully recovered and determined to make his mark, Real Sociedad are hopeful that their Nigerian star will rise to the occasion.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
