Nigerian striker, Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo, also known as Simy Nwankwo, is still over the moon that his Serie A club FC, Crotone, were able to beat the drop in “a hectic season”.

The 25-year-old explained that he feared that his first season in the Italian top flight would have been “an exercise in futility” if the Rossoblu had been relegated last season.

At the same time, the forward relishes his first experience in the Italian Serie A and now hopes to make his mark when the new season starts later this year, after Crotone escaped the drop on the final day of the season by two points.

“I thank God we finally escaped relegation on the last day,” Simy said.

“It was a hectic season for us because it was our first season in Serie A. Although the experience was good, we believed (in ourselves) till the end (of the season) that we are not going down.

“I am so happy that my first season in Italy after spending six years in Portugal did not turn out to be an exercise in futility. The experience gave me another level to life and at the end, it turned out very well for the team and myself.”

Simy Nwankwo scored four goals in 22 appearances for Crotone in all competitions last season.

The Nigerian forward previously played for Portimonense SC and Gil Vicente FC in Portugal.