Fast-rising Nigerian youngster Gift Sunday has completed a loan move to Norwegian club IK Start from Norwegian Eliteserien side FK Bodø/Glimt on a season-long loan deal.
The Nigerian winger, dubbed the “Nigerian Mbappé,” signed his first professional contract with FK Bodø/Glimt in 2024 after graduating from Nigeria-based P Sports Football Academy. At the academy, he played for the Under-19 team before earning a promotion to FK Bodø/Glimt’s senior squad.
The 18-year-old winger, who was in a pre-season training camp with the FK Bodø/Glimt first team in Marbella, Spain, finalized his loan move to IK Start during the camp.
Speaking exclusively to Kick Off Nigeria about the transfer, Gift revealed he was unaware of the plans for his loan move to IK Start until the club informed him while he was in pre-season training with FK Bodø/Glimt.
“I wasn’t aware of the loan move as I was already training and had played a couple of friendly matches with the FK Bodø/Glimt team,” he said.
“The club called me and asked me to return to the city of Bodø as they had already finalized the loan process.”
“I’m excited about this. I’ve always wanted to enjoy first-team football, and this move will give me the playing time I need to continue my development.”
“I’ve had my first training session with IK Start—a decent club with top players—and I look forward to what we can achieve together in the coming season.”
The Nigerian winger is expected to return to FK Bodø/Glimt after the season, as the club has him in their long-term plans.
