Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Italian Serie B club Cremonese are close to wrapping up a deal for former Golden Eaglets trainee Ejike Chigozie.

The negotiations for the Sam Vic Football Academy product is at an advanced stage, with the attacking midfielder expected to append his signature to a four-year contract with the Grigiorossi in the coming days.

Chigozie was spotted by Cremonese scouts during a local tournament that took place in Lagos, and was subsequently invited to Italy to undergo further trials before the club made a decision to offer him a contract.

The 18-year-old was on the periphery of the Nigeria U17 squad before the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup, and trained with the likes of Chidera Ezeh, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali prior to the tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

Ejike Chigozie has the same playing style as Super Eagles and Bolton Wanderers legend Jay Jay Okocha, according to his minders.

The deal taking him to Cremonese was brokered by former Enyimba star Dominic Egbukwu, who is now the sporting director of Sam Vic.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel