Former Super Eagles Forward Offered Trabzonspor Scouting Job

Former Super Eagles Forward Offered Trabzonspor Scouting Job

By Admin 

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has confirmed that the Turkish club have offered former Nigerian international Anthony Nwakaeme a position within their scouting network following his retirement from professional football, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

According to Dogan, the proposed role would focus primarily on identifying and recruiting emerging African talent, with the club eager to retain the experience and influence of one of its most respected former players.

The announcement comes shortly after Nwakaeme brought his playing career to an end by helping Trabzonspor secure a 2-1 victory over Konyaspor in the 2026 Turkish Cup final on Friday — a match the 37-year-old had previously described as his “final mission.”

“We met and spoke with Nwakaeme,” Dogan said. “We want him to remain with us as part of our scouting efforts in Africa. He possesses tremendous football knowledge and a strong character.”

“I personally wanted him to remain with the team. The final decision belongs to him, but we have presented our offer and will continue discussions because we want him to stay with us.”

Nwakaeme departs Trabzonspor as one of the most admired foreign players in the club’s history. Across two spells with the Black Sea Storm — between 2018 and 2022, and again from 2024 to 2026 — he scored 50 goals in 193 appearances and won every major domestic honour available in Turkish football, including the Turkish Super Lig title, two Turkish Cups, and the Turkish Super Cup.

The Nigerian remains the highest-scoring Nigerian player in Trabzonspor history.

His most memorable campaign came during the 2021/22 season when he registered 13 goals and 10 assists to help Trabzonspor end a 38-year wait for the Turkish league title. His impact at the club was so significant that supporters later erected a bronze statue in his honour near the stadium — a rare recognition for a foreign player in Turkish football.

Reports in Turkey indicate that Nwakaeme has already rejected lucrative offers from clubs in the United Arab Emirates due to his desire to remain in Trabzon. Club officials reportedly value his influence beyond the pitch, particularly his leadership role within the dressing room during his second stint under coach Fatih Tekke.

The proposed scouting position would also see the former winger act as a bridge between players and club management while contributing to the discovery of promising African footballers.

Nwakaeme’s route to Trabzonspor success was far from conventional. Before arriving in Turkey, he built his reputation in Romania and Israel, eventually enjoying a breakthrough spell at Hapoel Be’er Sheva, where he won three consecutive Israeli league titles between 2016 and 2018. During that period, he scored 43 goals, provided 24 assists, and impressed in the UEFA Europa League against clubs including Inter Milan.

Despite his impressive club career, his time with the Nigerian national team was limited. Nwakaeme earned his first Super Eagles call-up under Gernot Rohr in 2017 but made only one senior appearance — a 1-1 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw against Algeria later that year.