A month after departing Azerbaijan’s top-flight side FK Sabail, free agent Ayub Masika is close to finalizing a move to Turkish Second Division outfit Ankaraspor Kulubu, The Nerve Africa has exclusively learned.
Masika’s camp has held negotiations with Ankaraspor over the past few days, and they are now optimistic that a move is near completion. A source affiliated with the player’s agent, Ian Bustamante, revealed that the player will sign a two-year contract with the club.
“Talks with Ankaraspor have been ongoing in the background and have now reached the critical final stages. We had hoped for three years or more, for certainty, but the club has proposed two years. We are now closer to putting together the final pieces of the puzzle before he (Masika) travels for medicals,” the source told The Nerve Africa in an interview.
Masika, whose TransferMarket valuation is estimated at €100,000, boasts enviable pace and playmaking abilities. His versatility permits him to operate on both the left and right wings, as well as in central forward positions.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old began his football career at Ligi Ndogo Academy in Kenya before moving to other academies such as JMJ and Anderlecht in Belgium. He went on to play for Belgian sides Genk and Lierse. He also featured for Vissel Kobe, Reading FC, Buriram United, Beijing Renhe, and Heilongjiang Ice City FC.
Masika made his international debut in 2012 against South Africa. However, he had to wait a few years before eventually netting his first goal for the Harambee Stars in 2015 in Kenya’s 2-1 aggregate win against Mauritius in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification match. He has made 25 appearances for Kenya so far, scoring four goals in the process.
