Nigerian-Born Poland World Cup Star : Biggest Mistake In My Career Joining Portsmouth

Nigerian-born striker Emmanuel Olisadebe has admitted that joining English club Portsmouth was the biggest mistake of his football career, labeling them a small club with substandard facilities.

The 2002 Poland World Cup star joined Portsmouth from Greek giants Panathinaikos in January 2006 and made only two appearances in the Premier League against Everton and Birmingham City before he was released at the end of the season.

''I was told I could leave, so I did. I signed a contract with Portsmouth for less money than I had in Panathinaikos,'' Olisadebe said to Sport24.gr.

''It was a very bad decision to leave a club like Panathinaikos for as small as Portsmouth.  They did not even have their own training center.

''Changing rooms were in terrible condition. I was in despair when I was in Portsmouth. A hideous city with only one shopping center, no nightlife. The biggest mistake in my career.''

Olisadebe represented Poland's senior national team 2000-2004, making 25 appearances (11 goals), including three matches at the 2002 World Cup, where he scored after three minutes against the United States.

The 39-year-old, who first made his name at Jasper United, now lives permanently in Nigeria.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : sport.tvp.pl