Transfers of Thursday, 29 January 2015

Source: basil k. mbuye

Sporting Lisbon’s Fabrice Fokobo completes Arouca loan move

Sporting Lisbon’s youngster Fabrice Fokobo has completed his loan move to Primeira Liga side, FC Arouca in Portugal.

The loan deal that will end on June 30, 2013, gives the 21-year-old Cameroonian defensive midfielder the chance to gain more first team experience in Arouca who are currently two places from relegation.

He has been handed jersey number 25 in his new club, FC Arouca and has started the club’s last two matches since joining them on loan, January 15, 2015.

The Cameroonian international who moved to Sporting Lisbon from Cameroon League One side, Njalla Quan in July 11, 2012 has been in top form, making a number of appearances with the first team.

He was one of the key players that had a formidable season with the Sporting Lisbon B team during the NextGen Series in 2012/13.

His goal brilliant goal from 40 metres out against Tottenham in the NextGen Series in 2013 has been the best so far in his career.

This goal was listed among the top 30 European goals of the season for 2012-13 by theguardian.com

Fabrice Fokobo who can also play as a right-back and a central-defender, was tipped by Goal.com among the top 50 Under 20 promising talents in 2013.

Also, according to ibtimes.co.uk journalist, Adrian Back in an article titled “Five Future Stars From This Season’s NextGen Series”, Back said this of the then 19-year-old:

“A strong and athletic central midfielder, Fokobo looked like a man playing against children as he controlled the play with consummate ease. He has the ability to fill in at centre-back, but looks at his best when patrolling the middle of the park. Playing in a similar way to that of fellow countryman Alex Song, Fokobo has shown that he can contribute in forward areas as well as providing a screen for his defence".

Fokobo, who was born in Buea-Cameroon and started his career at Njalla Quan, was also onetime captain of the Cameroon Under 17 team.

With the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a rebuilding process, many will be hoping that Fokobo gets his first call for the senior team.