By: Michael Imianvan
“It is with a deep sense of honor and gratitude I (Joseph Atule) write to express my immense love for a club that I, Joseph Atule hold in high esteem, Lobi Stars Football Club.”
“This club has stood by me on the course of my journey to develop my carrier. The positive sacrifices it gave me in good and difficult moments remain dear to my heart. Today a new chapter has started in my life which compelled this message.”
The above were excerpts from a farewell message by Joseph Atule (Masaty) after his move to Enyimba FC of Aba ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Joseph Atule And The Rivers Dream
In June, sources informed of the transfer of Atule to Rivers United, with claims of a done deal at N600,000 per month. Days later, the player and the club, Lobi Stars, released a statement denying the move.
Joseph Atule would go on to play for Lobi Stars in a preseason tournament, the Naija Super 8, but how come a deal said to have been sealed to Rivers Utd failed to materialize?
As at the Super 8, sources say Atule was going to Rivers Utd, but Kanu Nwankwo and Enyimba happened.
The Kanu Nwankwo Call That Changed The Destination
For Atule, one man he respects is the Lobi Stars chairman and ex-international Dominic Iorfa.
Kanu Nwankwo, the new Enyimba chairman, called Iorfa, informing him of his urgent need to bring in Atule. The call from one ex-international to the other changed the destination.
The pay for the forward is also an instant increase on Rivers Utd’s offer, while Iorfa had to make various rounds of talks to convince Atule why he should move to Aba.
However, the drama would witness a twist as Pyramdis Fc of Egypt sent in a deal in a triple of Enyimba’s offer, and Atule was to travel to the Pharaoh’s land until agency issues struck.
A third party had brought forward the deal, but Atule found out it was the same agency that engineered a previous foreign move for him, which didn’t end well, leading to the cancellation of the Pyramids move.
Now, a much easier pass for Enyimba, who would finally get their man on a one-year deal.
Finidi George now has a dangerous front four for the 2023/24 football season of Joseph Atule, Chisom Okere, Anthony Okachi, and Ekene Awazie.