Victor Moses signs for Inter

MILAN - Victor Moses is officially an Inter player. The 29-year-old Nigerian has joined the Nerazzurri on loan with an option to buy.

The thread that binds Victor Moses to the ball is infused with passion, deep meaning, joy and suffering. It’s a story of courage and determination, of enormous strength and character. He once played on the streets of Kaduna, Nigeria, the place where he was born. Here, come rain or shine, a barefooted Moses would run with the ball at his feet. And on one of those days, when he was accelerating and dribbling, something happened that would change his life forever: he suddenly found himself without his father Austin and mother Josephine, both of whom were killed in their own home during religious riots. On that exact day, Moses, who was not at home precisely because he was playing football with friends, was forced to grow up. He hadn’t even turned 12.

He then set off for England. It was the beginning of a new life in South London, one which was marked by two requirements: to be strong and never give up. To help him along the way, he had an innate ability to play with the ball between his feet and overwhelming physical power that allowed him to be the dominant figure when up against his peers. After getting involved in local football, he was soon discovered by Crystal Palace. At a young age, he began to dominate. Quite literally. Many still remember the final of the 2005 Under-14 FA Youth Cup, with Whitgift winning 5-0 thanks to five goals from Moses. Three years and over 100 goals later, he made his debut for Palace’s first team.

This is how his path in English professional football began. He moved to Wigan in 2010, where he debuted in the Premier League, before making a big step forward in 2012 when he was signed by then European champions Chelsea. During his first season at The Blues, he scored ten goals in 43 matches, winning the UEFA Europa League in the process. But this wasn’t enough to convince Chelsea’s new boss. So, with his usual determination, Victor rolled up his sleeves and went again. Loan spells at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham followed.

When Antonio Conte became Chelsea’s Coach in 2016, a new chapter began in Victor Moses’s career. He became an important part of the current Nerazzurri Coach’s side, contributing to the Blues’ 2016/17 Premier League triumph and FA Cup success in 2018. Over two seasons, he played 78 times, scored eight goals and provided eight assists. Conte used him out wide in midfield, whereas in the two years prior to this he’d often been used as an out-and-out winger or a second striker. More recently, Moses has spent time at Fenerbahce in Turkey.

On an international level, Moses played for all of England’s youth teams, also finishing as the top scorer at the U17 European Championship. In 2012, however, he made the decision to play for Nigeria, the country where he was born. He’s since scored twelve goals in 38 matches for the Super Eagles and taken part in two World Cups. Most notably, he won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, at which he left his mark with an assist for the winning goal in the final.

Fast and determined, shy but aware of his abilities: Victor Moses, who possesses a great affinity for the ball, knows that every time he’s taken to the pitch, his father Austin and mother Josephine have been watching on proudly. And now he’s ready to start a new adventure. He’s the eighth Nigerian player in Inter’s history and follows in the footsteps of big names like Nwanko Kanu, Taribo West and Obafemi Martins.

On behalf of the Nerazzurri family, we’d like to wish Victor all the very best!

#WelcomeVictor!