Okereke set for Cremonese return after Torino loan deal

Nigerian striker David Okereke will return to his parent club, Cremonese, for next season after Torino decided to not activate the option to buy him permanently.

The former Nigeria U-23 forward joined Torino in the winter transfer window on a loan deal that included a purchase option.

Unfortunately, Okereke failed to impress with the Turin-based side, where he did not score or assist in 248 minutes of action spread across nine matches, three of which he started.

The deadline for activating the purchase clause in the five-month loan agreement expired on June 14, and il Toro chose not to exercise this option.

The club were reportedly underwhelmed by his performance and decided to let him leave instead of tying him to a permanent deal.

Cremonese, competing in Serie B, missed the opportunity to make an immediate return to Serie A after being defeated by Venezia on aggregate in the Serie B playoff final on 2 June.

Sources close to Okereke told Afrik-Foot that he is not inclined to play in Serie B and is considering a return to Belgium, where he has attracted interest. Additionally, Turkish club Besiktas is reportedly interested in the 26-year-old striker.

Since joining Cremonese from Club Brugge in the summer of 2022, Okereke has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 57 appearances across all competitions. Despite his disappointing stint at Torino, his overall record with Cremonese highlights his potential as a valuable player.

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