Sevilla secure new Nigerian number nine from Ligue 1 on 4.5-year deal

Sevilla have announced the signing of a new striker, as they look to address their goalscoring issues. Nigerian number nine Akor Adams, who will wear the number 15 shirt, has put pen to paper on a 4.5-year deal with the Andalusian side after successful negotiations last week.

The imposing figure of Adams arrives from Montpellier in Ligue 1, where he has played 15 games this season, scoring thrice and assisting three times as well. The previous year he had managed to hit double figures in France, operating as their starting striker.

The deal is worth a reported €5m, and looks as if it has been funded by the exit of Gonzalo Montiel to River Plate. Adams should be available for manager Garcia Pimienta for their trip to Getafe this coming weekend. He joins fellow Super Eagles Chidera Ejuke and Kelechi Iheanacho in Nervion, although the latter is expected to leave the club this winter.

Adams will provide a much more physical presence up front for Sevilla, measuring in at 190cm, and giving them a target man they can look for up front. While he has not had a prolific past at either Montpellier or previous club Lillestrom in Norway, Adams should at least facilitate matters for top scorer Dodi Lukebakio, potential strike partner Isaac Romero or new signing Ronald Vargas.

This season Sevilla have just 24 goals in La Liga after 21 games, a record that made the position a top priority for Sporting Director Victor Orta. Originally Sevilla moved for Juninho Vieira of Qarabag, but after that deal collapsed, switched their attentions to Adams. Previously Garcia Pimienta has used target men to give shape and balance to his more possession-based ideas, with mixed results in front of goal last season for Las Palmas – eventually Munir El Haddadi ended up ahead of signing Sory Kaba in the pecking order.