Nigeria defender Shehu Abdullahi joined Turkish club Bursaspor on Monday from Anorthosis Famagusta on a two-and-a-half year deal and says he is ready for the challenge of Turkish football.
The 24-year-old, who has spent the last two years in Cyprus, penned an emotional farewell note to Anorthosis fans on his Instagram page, but told KweséESPN he is looking forward to the new challenge with Bursaspor.
"I had a wonderful two years at Anorthosis, but now it is time to face a different, a bigger challenge and I believe I am prepared for it," he said.
"It was hard for me to leave Anorthosis because I know the club needs me because they want to play in European competition, but that is life. I have to move ahead in my career. Coming here will help me to prepare well for the World Cup."
Abdullahi, a converted midfielder who plays right-back for Nigeria, has become one of the mainstays of Gernot Rohr's side, winning multiple Man of the Match awards as the Super Eagles romped their way to World Cup qualification.
He has signed a contract worth around 300 000 euros, and will join international teammates William Troost-Ekong and Mikel Agu, along with the as yet uncapped 20-year-old Pascal Okoli, at Bursaspor.