Transfers: Nigerian striker Uchenna Kanu joins Tigres UANL, set to become first Nigerian to play in Mexico’s elite female division

Tigres UANL Femenil, the reigning Mexican champions, have signed Nigerian striker Uchenna Kanu for an unknown amount from Swedish club Linkopings. The purchase was announced on the Nigerian attacker’s official social media feed: “It is with great honour and gratitude that I embrace this incredible opportunity to be a part of this amazing team @tigresfemeniloficial.” The post, via her official Instagram account, continued: “I am super excited to wear the Tigress shirt and to work hard and diligently for the best interest of the team.” Monterrey-based Tigres UANL are the most successful female football club in Mexico, having won all the four league titles contested in the Liga MX Femenil since it was inaugurated in September 2017. And ahead of the 2021-2022 season, UANL have added Kanu to their playing personnel. Kanu becomes the first Nigerian footballer to arrive in the Mexican female elite division, and she would be the first to play in the championship when she makes her debut. Kanu is no stranger to North American football as she came through the ranks at Florida’s Southeastern Fire, where she broke several goalscoring records en route netting 115 goals in 55 games. The 24-year-old spent two years at Pensacola FC, also in Florida, before switching to Europe when she joined Sevilla in 2020. A quick move to Linkopings followed, and she distinguished herself by grabbing 22 goals spread across 42 league games. Kanu played for the Nigerian Under-17 and Under-20 teams before joining the Super Falcons in 2019. Since then, the mercurial striker has tallied ten goals in five appearances for the African champions.