Macleans Chinonyerem: Nigeria striker joins Russian champions from Gornik Lezcna
Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow has completed the signing of Nigeria international Macleans Chinonyerem, on three-year deal, SavidNews can exclusively report.
The Nigerian striker joined the Russian side following the expiration of her contract with Polish side Gornik Lezcna, where she finished as topscorer with 20 goals in the 2021/2022 Polish Eksraliga season.
The 22-year-old, who launched her football career at Abia Angels and Bayelsa Queens in Nigeria, scored 10 goals in 16 Federation Cup matches in 2017. She also won Gold during the Airtel Youth Cup in 2015.
In search for greener pastures, she moved to Europe, starting out at Bobruichanka in Belarus, where she spent six months, scoring eight goals to finish as the team’s topscorer in 2020 Belarusian season.
After her brief stint in Belarus, the Super Falcons forward moved to Poland, signing a six-month deal with Stomilanki before teaming up with top-flight giants Gornik, on a one-year contract.
On international scene, she made her international debut for Nigeria at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with a cameo appearance against Botswana on July 7 before also coming on against Burundi three days later.
Following her arrival in Moscow, she has completed a successful medical and is now set to showcase her skill in Russia, whose women’s football has grown in leaps and bounds.
Chinonyerem is now the second Nigerian playing in the Russian top-flight along with compatriot Francisca Ordega, who currently suits up for CSKA Moscow.
Just days later, the Nigerian came on in the 80th minute to make her debut in Russian football as a replacement for Alena Ruzina for the reigning champions in a 1-0 win over Rostov on Sunday.
After her cameo debut, she is likely to make her competitive start for the Rissian champions when they take on former champions and Ordega’s CSKA Moscow in a local derby on August 27.
