Leeds United forward Caleb Ekuban has confirmed that he wants to seal a permanent switch to Trabzonspor.
Ekuban, 24, joined the Turkish Super Lig club in the summer on a season-long loan, and he has since scored five goals in 15 appearances across all competitions.
The Ghanaian striker struggled to make much of an impact during his debut season at Elland Road in 2017/18, and it now looks as though he is ready to quit the Yorkshire giants for good and sign for Trabzonspor once his loan ends, confirming that the Turkish club is also interested in a permanent deal.
“This is the best decision I’ve ever made (joining Trabzonspor). I am currently on loan, but I want to continue at Trabzonspor. The club also want to keep me beyond this season. I want to stay, and I’m targeting that,” he said, as quoted by Turkish news outlet Haber 61.
OPINION
No one can blame Ekuban for wanting to leave. He really struggled to get to grasps with the English game when Leeds signed him from Chievo in 2017. It was always a bizarre signing but it wasn’t made easy for him due to a couple of nasty injuries. However one the 24-year-old did get a chance to play in the first team he didn’t do much to suggest that he is worth keeping. Since joining Trabzonspor, Ekuban’s form has certainly improved. He is averaging a goal in every three games, which is decent for someone who missed the bulk of last season through injury. Leeds should be able to pocket a decent sum for Ekuban because he is doing well in Turkey, so on the whole, this is a deal that suits every party involved. Victor Orta may want to think twice about signing strikers like this again though. In the season before he headed to Elland Road, Ekuban was on loan in the Albanian top-flight. Never again.