Free agent Aribo eyes Jan return

Free agent Joe Aribo hopes to return to competitive football when the January transfer window opens, with English clubs reportedly interested in the former Super Eagles midfielder.

The 30-year-old, who has 34 caps for Nigeria, has been without a club since his contract at Southampton expired without a new deal being agreed. He has previously played for Rangers, Leicester City and Charlton Athletic.

Footy-Africa reports that clubs in the English Championship and League One are monitoring him, with Luton Town and Notts County among those understood to be considering a move.

A source close to the player told the website that a return to English football remains his preferred option, despite opportunities to move to Turkey in the past two seasons.

“For Aribo, he has been keeping fit with a personal trainer and a physical trainer, as most of the clubs looking to sign him want to do so in January when they rejig their squads,” the source said.

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“He is a good player who has just been unlucky and, at 30, he still has a lot of football in him.”

The source added that Turkey has not been completely ruled out.

“Joe will remain in England based on what I gathered, even though there was an opening in Turkey in the past two seasons. Maybe that option will also be explored, but the first option is to remain in England,” he said.

He also said the midfielder is eager to play again, adding, “He misses the game, but in a couple of weeks, hopefully, he will be back to competitive football.”

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