Former Super Eagles chief coach, Christian Chukwu, has expressed shock on the news that out-of-favour national team defender, Taiye Taiwo had signed a two-year deal to play for Italian giant club, Inter Milan.
An amused Chukwu said: “The development came as a rude shock to me and I would be telling lies if I say I was not surprised, but to be honest, I expect him to do well in the club.
He added: “Some people might say Taiwo is not a young man anymore, but they forget that he is just 28 years old and he started playing at the top level at a very young age.”
Chukwu a Technical Committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation revealed his admiration for the left-full back’s qualities.
“The only reason Taiwo did not play for the Super Eagles while I was coach of the team was that he was relatively inexperienced at that time. It was a time we had established players like Ifeanyi Udeze and Celestine Babayaro playing in the same position. I had plans for him at the time because I was always monitoring his development.
“However, I know he is a very good player and his experience while playing in countries like France, Italy, Ukraine and England would serve him well at this time,” he added.
Taiwo sealed a shock move to 18-time Italian champions, Internazionale Milano.
The 28-year-old joins the Nerazzurri from the Ukrainian club, Dynamo Kiev on a two-year contract.
Taiwo, who recently completed a one-year loan deal with Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine, was reported to have flown into Milan Tuesday night to sign the contract papers with Inter, before making the news public on Wednesday.
Taiwo began his European football education at French club, Olympique Marseille in 2004 where he spent eight seasons helping the club to one league and cup title during the period.
He joined AC Milan at the start of the 2011/12 season where he made just four league appearances for the Rossoneri.
