Sporting Lagos signs Haruna Hadi

Newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League team Sporting Lagos has successfully signed attacking midfielder Haruna Hadi from Remo Stars. This move came after tough competition from Shooting Stars and seven other clubs. The club's long-term plan and head coach Jeffery Buter’s involvement played a key role in making this happen, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Haruna Hadi, 25, moved from Remo Stars despite interest from various NPFL clubs. Shooting Stars was among those interested and reportedly offered a better financial deal and the chance to play in continental competitions.

Sources close to the talks said Sporting Lagos had been eyeing Hadi for months. Coach Jeff closely watched the winger as part of efforts to strengthen the squad after the club's return to the NPFL.

Negotiations were going well, but the race heated up when Shooting Stars and seven other clubs became involved. Sporting Lagos chose not to get into a bidding war but met the minimum transfer fee that Remo Stars wanted. Hadi was in the last year of his contract with the Ikenne club.

Throughout the talks, Hadi preferred to join Sporting Lagos, although family matters nearly changed the situation. Reports say that Hadi's father, a former player for Shooting Stars, wanted his son to continue the family legacy at the Ibadan club and was approached by 3SC during negotiations. Other clubs also tried to sway the decision by offering bonuses to Hadi's family.

As the transfer seemed to be leaning towards Shooting Stars, Sporting Lagos coach Jeff made a personal visit to Hadi’s family. He explained the club’s long-term vision and Hadi's role in it.

This meeting reportedly had a big impact. Hadi and his family were impressed by the ambition shown, as well as the chance for him to play in Lagos, where he grew up, in front of Sporting Lagos fans at the Onikan Stadium.

“At the age of two, I noticed that he loves football because anything he sees on the road, he plays it,” Hadi’s mother said in a video shared by Sporting Lagos.

“Football runs in the family, and he already has it. I am very proud of him,” his father, a former 3SC player, added.

Sources mentioned that Sporting Lagos’ financial offer was significantly lower than that of Shooting Stars, both in base salary and performance bonuses. This highlights Hadi's preference for the Sporting Lagos project over financial gain.

Hadi is joining Sporting Lagos after four successful seasons with Remo Stars. He played 94 matches in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and making 12 assists.

Last season, he played in 30 matches, scored five goals, and was selected for Nigeria’s squad for the African Nations Championship. This shows his growing reputation as one of the NPFL’s most promising attacking players.