Real Betis sign rising Nigerian talent on two-year deal

Published on by Toyosi Afolayan

Liga F side, Real Betis Féminas have completed the signing of Nigeria youth international Kalu Chinyere, securing the midfielder on a two-year contract until 2026. 

The 18-year-old defensive midfielder arrives in Seville with considerable experience from the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), where she played for clubs like Osun Babes FC, Rivers Angels FC, and Nasarawa Amazons FC. She also had a stint with relatively unknown Lartins White Dove FC in Nigeria.

Kalu has a strong international background, having represented Nigeria at both the U17 and U20 levels. She featured in the 2020 U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, scoring twice before the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Following that, she was promoted to Nigeria’s U20 team and played at the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, making an appearance for the Flamingoes before their quarter-final exit at the hands of the Netherlands.

Kalu Chinyere joins Real Betis amid relegation battle in Liga F

Kalu Chinyere’s move to Real Betis makes her the third Nigerian female footballer to represent the club, following in the footsteps of Super Falcons stars Rinsola Babajide and Roosa Ariyo. The Seville-based side is hoping that the 18-year-old midfielder will inject some much-needed quality into their squad as they fight to improve their standing in Liga F.

It is a challenging time for Real Betis, who currently sit 15th in the 16-team league, with two teams set to be relegated to the Primera Federación Femenina. Under manager Joseba Aguirre, the team has struggled to find form, registering just two draws and four losses in their opening six matches.

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With her blend of international and domestic experience, Kalu Chinyere is expected to make a significant impact as Betis look to strengthen and reverse their fortunes in the coming seasons.

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Toyosi Afolayan

Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan's expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.