Nigeria defender Ola Aina has completed his move from Premier League side Chelsea to Italian Serie A side Torino. Aina who can play either as a right or left back on Monday joined the Turin based side on a season-long loan deal with an option of remaining in Italy on a permanent basis at the end of the loan duration.
The 21-year old narrowly missed out on Nigeria’s team to the last FIFA World Cup Russia tournament but will hope to get back into the Super Eagles squad after this move to Italy.
“Torino have been following me for some time so I hope to do well here,” Aina told the club’s official website on Monday night.
“I know this is a club that believes in young players and this is very important to me. I know that I can learn a lot in Italy especially in the ability to be in the field, because tactics and organizational play are essential here,” said Aina.
Born in London, Aina is a product of the Chelsea academy and was part of the senior team when they won the Premier League title in 2016/17 season under Italian manager Antonio Conte.
He spent the last football season on loan at English Championship side Hull City where he made forty-four (44) appearances for the Tigers. Aina has five caps with Nigeria’s senior national team after having represented England at Under-aged levels.
Aina will go into manager Walter Mazzarri’s squad ahead of the commencement of the 2018/19 Serie A season this weekend. Torino will host AS Roma at the Olympic Stadium in Turin in their opening league game on Sunday.
