SHILLONG: Former I-League champions Churchill Brothers announced, on Sunday, the signing of Nigerian striker Odafa Okolie on a three-year deal.
Churchill struggled to avoid relegation in the 2013-14 season even as they won the Federation Cup and have seen some success in the AFC Cup.
Club owner Churchill Alemao welcomed back the 28-year-old through a statement on Sunday.
“Odafa is a wonderful player who has brought tremendous joy to this club with his goals,” Alemao said of the Nigerian, who ended a three-year stint with Mohun Bagan.
“I am very happy to welcome him back to the Churchill family,” Alemao added.
Odafa had previously served the Red Machines from 2005-06 to the end of the 2010-11 season after which he headed to Kolkata.
He scored over 100 goals for the Goan giants and captained them to their first I-League title in 2008-09 while also winning the Durand Cup twice.
Fans of the player fondly call him the ‘Goal Machine’, a moniker he deserved after being the I-League top scorer on three occasions: 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2010-11.
Odafa’s final season with the Mariners turned out to be quite tempestuous with both the player and the club reportedly unhappy with the relationship.
There were hints as early as January that the Nigerian would be leaving.
Club secretary Anjan Mitra even publicly criticised the player, saying, “Odafa is not giving his full attention to his game.”
On Sunday, Odafa expressed happiness in rejoining a team he had a long association with.
“Churchill Brothers Goa is like an extended family to me and I am really glad to return home,” the Nigerian was quoted as saying by the official I-League website.
“I will give my best and hope to win many trophies here again.”
