Super Eagles stars set to unite: Dessers nears PAOK move to join AFCON 2023 MVP Troost-Ekong

Cyriel Dessers and Troost-Ekong to link-up at POAK.

Super Eagles stars set to unite: Dessers nears PAOK move to join AFCON 2023 MVP Troost-Ekong

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 10:15 - 27.06.2024

Nigeria national team duo William Troost-Ekong and Cyriel Dessers could be teammates next season at Greek champions POAK.

In a potential reunion of Nigerian Super Eagles teammates, Cyriel Dessers is on the verge of joining William Troost-Ekong at Greek champions PAOK Thessaloniki.

The club is reportedly in advanced talks with the Rangers striker, signalling a possible link-up between two key figures from the three-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions.

Dessers and Troost-Ekong to reunite

PAOK, fresh off their domestic triumph and eyeing success in next season's Champions League, have identified the 29-year-old Dessers as a prime target to bolster their attacking options.

The Greek side already boasts the services of AFCON Most Valuable Player Troost-Ekong in defence, and the addition of Dessers could create a formidable Nigerian spine to the team.

Cyriel Dessers has scored 22 goals for Rangers this season.
Cyriel Dessers has scored 22 goals for Rangers this season.

According to Novasports, negotiations with Dessers have progressed significantly, with the player's camp reportedly satisfied with the financial package on offer.

PAOK's head coach, Razvan Lucescu, is keen to have his new frontman available for pre-season training as the club prepares for their Champions League qualification campaign.

Latest champion William Troost-Ekong with the Greek league title.
Latest champion William Troost-Ekong with the Greek league title. (Photo Credit: Troost-Ekong/Facebook)

Dessers' potential move to PAOK would see him link up with his national team colleague Troost-Ekong, potentially recreating a much-needed chemistry that could serve the Super Eagles well internationally.

The defender's presence at the club could be a factor in Dessers' decision-making process, offering a familiar face and shared ambitions.

Cyriel Dessers has rediscovered his form at Rangers.
Cyriel Dessers has rediscovered his form at Rangers. (Photo Credit: Rangers/X)

The striker leaves behind an impressive record at Rangers, having netted 22 goals and provided 9 assists in 54 appearances across all competitions in the recently concluded season.

His European pedigree, including a top-scorer award in the 2021/22 UEFA Conference League with Feyenoord, makes him an attractive prospect for PAOK's European ambitions.

Dessers scored ten goals to help Feyenoord reach the UECL final
Dessers scored ten goals to help Feyenoord reach the UECL final.

As PAOK aims to become the first Greek team to participate in the new format of the Champions League, the potential partnership of Dessers and Troost-Ekong could prove crucial.

The Nigerian duo's experience and quality are the boost PAOK need to make history in European football.

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.co.ke/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

With Rangers seemingly content with the financial offer from PAOK, all eyes are now on Dessers as he contemplates the next step in his career – one that could see him take on a new challenge alongside his international teammate in Greek football.

Related content