Former Nigeria youth worldwide Akinkunmi Amoo has made his long-awaited return to soccer, that includes in Shanghai Jiading Huilong’s 1-0 defeat to Nantong Zhiyun in China’s League One, Soccernet.ng stories.

The 22-year-old playmaker, as soon as hailed as certainly one of Nigeria’s brightest younger prospects, had been out of aggressive motion for 409 days following a turbulent spell in Denmark that led to a felony conviction and ban.

Amoo final performed knowledgeable match in January 2024 for Cypriot membership Omonia Nicosia earlier than parting methods with the membership for “private causes” two months later.

Nevertheless, his return to motion in China marks the beginning of a contemporary chapter after a profession that has taken surprising and, at instances, troubling turns.

Shanghai Jiading Huilong’s head coach Wu Yizhen launched Amoo initially of the second half on the Rugao Olympic Sports activities Middle Stadium with the scores nonetheless goalless.

Nevertheless, the Nigerian’s presence couldn’t stop his aspect from falling to a slender defeat as Chen Binbin struck within the seventieth minute to safe victory for Nantong Zhiyun.

For Amoo, this represents a much-needed step ahead after a troublesome two years. As soon as thought to be a rising star of Nigerian soccer, his profession has been overshadowed by authorized troubles in Denmark, the place he was convicted of a number of sexual assault fees.

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From Nigeria’s rising star to controversy

Amoo first burst onto the scene on the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, the place he performed a key position for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets.

Later that 12 months, he featured within the U-17 World Cup, additional enhancing his status as one of many nation’s most promising younger gamers.

His performances attracted curiosity from high European golf equipment, nevertheless it was Swedish aspect Hammarby IF that secured his signature in 2020.

He shortly impressed, serving to the membership win the Svenska Cupen and drawing curiosity from Ajax, Leicester Metropolis, and Valencia.

His fast rise culminated in a record-breaking €4.4 million switch to FC Copenhagen in January 2022.

Nevertheless, his transfer to Denmark changed into a nightmare.

Later that 12 months, Amoo was arrested on fees of sexual assault, with incidents reportedly occurring between April and August 2022. He was convicted in June 2023 and sentenced to at least one 12 months in jail.

Following an unsuccessful attraction in 2024, he was banned from Denmark and prohibited from returning for six years, as per Daring. 

A second probability in China?

After his launch, Amoo struggled to discover a new membership. His brief stint with Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus ended abruptly, leaving him and not using a group for a lot of 2024. However together with his return to motion in China, he now has a chance to rebuild his profession.

Whereas his authorized historical past casts an extended shadow, Amoo will hope to let his soccer do the speaking in Shanghai.

The approaching months will decide whether or not he can regain the shape that when made him certainly one of Nigeria’s most promising younger gamers—or if his previous will proceed to outline his future.