Nigerian professional footballer Paul Onuachu has dedicated his first ever English Premier League goal to fans of Southampton ‘who has been cheering me to get this goal’.

Onuachu who made his name in the Danish and Belgian leagues and voted Belgian Footballer of the Year where he also won the country’s top scoring Golden Bull trophy, only scored his first goal for the Saints in Sunday’s 2-3 away loss to Nottingham Forest.

He joined the Saints from Genk in February 2023 on a three-and-a-half-year contract but was soon farmed out to in September 2023 Trabzonspor in the Turkish Lig 1 on a season-long loan. Despite spirited efforts by Trabzonspor, Southampton failed to extend Onuachu’s stay in Turkey as he returned to help the Saints on their EPL return.

Sunday’s game was his 12th in the on-going campaign and his 26th in all competitions for the Saints, as he finally broke his scoring duck in what was his 23rd EPL game in the away loss to The Reds.

The 30-year-old striker came off the bench to climb highest and nod home a corner in stoppage time.

“It is a good feeling to score but it was disappointing that we lost,” Onuachu said in an interview with the Saints’ official website. “Actually, I’m happy that I scored in front of the fans because they have been brilliant, they have been supportive even though we are last on the table and they have ben cheering me to get this goal.

“I think all kudos to them for the goal because they have been cheering me on to get this goal,” he added.

In a related development, Southampton manager Ivan Juric has applauded Onuachu for grabbing his first Premier League goal.

“There are some players that I like, they have some quality and he has this quality. He’s tough, he’s a fighter, he’s tall with the ability to head,” Juric reportedly told The Daily Echo. “He’s very good and he will give everything he can, I think he will be very good for us.

“I am very happy for him that he scored.”

Credit: thenationonlineng.net

Onuachu dedicates goal to Southampton fans

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