By Sulaimon Jamiu
Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich have signed a promising Nigerian midfielder, Daniel Francis on a professional contract which will see him stay at the club until 2025.
The 18-year-old, who formerly played for Abuja-based club, FC Hearts, had an impressive stint during the FC Bayern World Squad initiative.
According to the club, the midfielder will play on loan for Austrian side, Austria Klagenfurt, in the Austrian Bundesliga during the 2022–23 campaign.
In an interview, FC Bayern Campus director Jochen Sauer said: “During his stay with the FC Bayern World Squad, Daniel rose to the fore and excelled in the exhibition games. We’re happy to have signed him and that he will now be allowed to play in matches for Austria Klagenfurt after he drew interest from other clubs.”
Francis will link up with Liu Shaoziyang, a Chinese goalkeeper who is also on loan from the German record champions, in Klagenfurt.
For the second time this year, the FC Bayern World Squad project gave 24 young athletes from around the world the chance to shine.
Francis’ leadership abilities led to him being given the team’s captain’s armband. He pleased the coaching staff, which was overseen by Bayern veterans Klaus Augenthaler and Ze Roberto, at the training camps in Rio de Janeiro and Munich as well as the friendlies.
It is worthy of note that at the age of 16, the talented midfielder represented Nigeria at the U-17 World Cup in Brazil.
