Nigeria international Sani Kaita has switched to Moldova’s Premier League side, FC Saxan Ceadir Lunga, after a three-month loan stint with Enyimba International of Aba.
The 28-year-old defensive midfielder blazed a trail few months after the introduction of the Elite Players Scheme of the League Management Company (LMC), by successfully negotiating a loan deal with the ‘Peoples Elephants’ in April- endorsed by the LMC.
Kaita wrote on his Facebook wall: “Aba is the city. The club is Enyimba Int’l. I want to thank you all, the Management, the Former Coaches, the players the Fans and of cause the LMC who played big part. I really appreciated you all. Once again thank you very much. Cheers”.
The ex-Kano Pillars stalwart’s return to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) reaped its dividends in terms of the population of fans at the Aba club’s training base and on their home ground on match days.
He made his debut in a 1-1 draw at Sharks of Port Harcourt, before grabbing the winner in a 1-0 home win over Kaduna United on Match Day 13.
The LMC scheme was introduced in the 2013/14 season Framework and Rules to attract to the Glo Premier League, Nigeria internationals who must have featured for the country in international championships or those with a minimum of 20 national team appearances. Such players must also have played for clubs in a world class league.
It serves to provide them a platform to re-launch their international club career and for others, to enjoy a programmed exit to retirement from the game.
No club is allowed to register more than two of such players, under the terms of Elite Players Project and they must pay a negotiated wage to the player(s) while the LMC also remit a stipulated amount as allowance to the player.
“Kaita’s return to Europe is evidence of the competitiveness and qualities of the Glo Premier League which can help players re-launch their international career in Europe. We will continue to support players who embrace this scheme and assist them settle at any club that accepts them as we did with Kaita. We wish him all the best”, Chief Operating Officer of the LMC Salihu Abubakar said.
