Playing on loan improves my game in Europe says Nwolokor, “African Buffon”

Francis Achi

Nigeria’s goalkeeping sensation in Europe, David Samuel Nwolokor nicknamed “African Buffon”, who plies his trade with SKF iClinic Sered in Slovakia on loan from his parent club, HNK Rijeka in Croatia has said playing on loan has improved his game in Europe, reports totorinews.com exclusively.

Nwolokor, at 17 years left the shores of Nigeria from Abuja football college to start a career abroad with HNK Rijeka in Croatia in 2013 and he admitted that it was not easy at the beginning, but he was able to cope with football in Eastern Europe, playing on loan in Bosnia and Herzegovina and presently in Slovakia.

“When I first got to Croatia, I did not find it easy . It was a very different environment, but with time ,I got adapted and coped very well in training in Rijeka before I was sent on loan to Sibenik, another club in Croatia.” Nwolokor told totorinews.com

“I gained a lot of experience and my game improved as I went on loan. I learnt to be consistent and i have seen different patterns of play from these clubs.

“The loan deal made me a better player. I was very young so the loan gave me exposure, recognition and more knowledge of the game. I think it is better to have a loan deal where you can play and gain experience than to be at your main club and you are not seeing action.

“Although I am still learning but I can tell that my game has improved a lot,” he said.

When asked why is he called the African Buffon in Europe , Nwolokor informed that it was his exploits in goal for  NK Vitez in the premier league of Bosnia and Herzegovina that he got the nick name from football pundits and fans.

“I got the name “African Buffon” from fans and football commentators while I was playing in Bosnia and Herzegovina because of my great form in goal for NK Vitez in their premier league. They started calling me African Buffon and i felt great about it,” Nwolokor said.