Sylvester Igboun becomes the First African Footballer to quit Russian Club

Nigeria international Star, Sylvester Igboun has become the first African footballer to quit the Russian Premier League because of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The 31-year-old forward has taken advantage of a FIFA rule allowing foreign players to leave the country and has ended his contract with FK Nizhny Novgorod.

Sylvester, whose deal expires at the end of the season, only joined Nizhny Novgorod last month after leaving Dynamo Moscow by mutual consent.

In the exact words of one of the player advisers while speaking to BBC Sport Africa: “Sylvester has cancelled his contract because of the ongoing problem between Russia and Ukraine,”

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“It’s a personal decision taken by the player after speaking at length with his family.”

Recall that Igboun only made one league appearance following his move to Nizhny Novgorod.

Last week world governing body Fifa announced that foreign footballers playing in Russia can suspend their contracts and temporarily leave the country.