Nigeria’s Sone Aluko signs new deal with Hull City

Aluko expressed his joy at signing the new deal

A Nigerian striker, Sone Aluko, has signed a new two-and-a-half year deal with his English Premier League club, Hull City.

The EPL club on Friday evening confirmed the latest development, adding that Aluko’s contract would now run until the summer of 2016.

The 24-year-old, touted for a possible return to Nigeria’s national team, has become a popular figure with supporters since joining the Tigers in the summer of 2012. He scored eight goals last season to help his side gain promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

Aluko started the 2013/14 season in fine form, scoring a memorable winner against Newcastle United before an injury to his Achilles interrupted his campaign. However, with the striker closing in on a return to action, he is delighted to kick-off 2014 on a positive note.

On the club’s official website, Aluko expressed his joy at signing the new deal.

“I’ve said right from the beginning, when talk about a new deal first came about, that I was happy here. I also said that it might take time for the deal to happen and that is how it turned out. Because it took a while, people started making a story out of it and were saying that I was going to this place or that place. That was always irrelevant,” he said.

He added that he was glad that it was done.

“I have to thank the manager and the owners of the club. I would also like to thank my team-mates for helping to make my time here a success. If it wasn’t for them, there probably wouldn’t be a new deal.”

It is yet to be seen if Aluko can still make Coach Stephen Keshi’s World Cup squad as he returns to action next month.