Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has opened up on his rationale for returning to his former club, Kano Pillars.
Mr Musa had played in the Pillars from 2009 to 2012, before leaving for Europe.
Mr Musa has been without a club since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in October.
The versatile winger featured in Nigeria’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Lesotho last month despite his inactivity at club level.
The news of his return to the Pillars shocks many fans.
Speaking with BBC Sports Africa, Mr Musa said he intended to return to his former club in order to improve the image of Nigerian football.
He said: “Anything that improves the image of Nigerian football is something that I strive to embark on and Kano Pillars holds a special place in my heart.
“It’s the team that helped me become the professional footballer I am today, so this is more than just football but a very strong bond.”
Recall that the Pillars had agreed to sign on Mr Musa for the rest of the season.
Idris Malikawa, the club’s Media Officer, in a statement on Tuesday in Kano ,disclosed that the club’s chairman, Surajo Shuaibu, announced the deal.
“Shuaibu said the club management has agreed to sign Ahmed Musa for the rest of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
“He said the club agreed to sign the player after consultations with him and the League Management Company (LMC) which stands as mediator of the deal,” the Media Officer said.
He added that Kano Pillars received a letter in that respect from the LMC, signed by its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Salihu Abubakar.
It stated that the club would take on Musa as an Elite Player of the league for the season’s second half.
“The Kano Pillars family are welcoming Musa back home because he is our own and we wish him the best of luck,” Mr Malikawa stated.
He added that the contract allows Mr Musa to leave anytime he gets a new club of his choice.
“After necessary documentation, the player will be unveiled by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje before the commencement of the league’s second stanza,” the Media Officer said.
