A former Liverpool triallist that returned to his homeland in disappointment after the Reds rejected the chance to sign him has been linked with a sensational move to English football.
Chidera Ejuke, now a 25-year-old on the books at CSKA Moscow, has been credited by Wales Online Cardiff City reporter Glen Williams as having piqued the interest of the Bluebirds.
The Championship club are hoping to sign the left winger on a temporary one-year contract with special permission from governing body FIFA, the same method that allowed Ejuke to play for Hertha Berlin during the 2022/23 campaign whilst Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues.
Interestingly this would not be his experience of this country's football system, as he was actually scouted by Anfield recruiters seven years ago before going on to have a trial period at the club.
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Alongside three friends, he was brought from Nigeria as an 18-year-old to trial for Jurgen Klopp's side. However Ejuke was unsuccessful in securing a permanent deal with the Reds, and returned home to his family.
Four years later in 2020, he would be starring for SC Heerenveen in Holland's top-flight. This was when he chose to openly reveal the emotions he felt as a result of his missed opportunity on Merseyside.
Speaking to Voetbal, he said: "It was the first time that I left my country and then also for an internship in my dream competition.
“We were warmly welcomed at Liverpool. We did an internship there for a few weeks, it went pretty well, but I probably wasn't good enough.
“Liverpool was not interested and so we had to return to Nigeria. That was just as tough. This was the opportunity I had been dreaming about all these years and if it doesn't work out, it's bitter. It felt like I had let down my agent and my family."
As a youngster with a whole career ahead of him, Ejuke did not allow his regrets to get the better of him.
"If I had taken that chance, it would have been a different story, but it was a good experience," he admitted. "That missed opportunity became a source of motivation for me and it helped me grow as a player. I had tasted Europe and now I wanted more.”
The Nigerian has now made eight appearances for his country and is only two appearances shy of 200 in professional European football, racking up 61 goals and assists in that time. Who knows how many more that will be come the end of the coming season, should he choose to spend it on these shores.
