Bartholomew Ogbeche

Spanish club Real Valladolid have completed the signing of Nigeria striker Bartholomew Ogbeche from second division side Deportivo Alaves.

Ogbeche, 22, agreed a three-year contract with the option of a one-year extension and says he is delighted with the new opportunity.

"It's a great opportunity for me to join Valladolid, once I spoke with the sport director [Jose Luis Road Perez]; I just wanted to be here," Ogbeche told BBC Sport.

"The team has great work ethics, I played against them while at Alaves and I must say they deserve to win the second division title last season.

"I got other offers outside of Spain but Real Valladolid was top on the priority list when I had to choose.

Ogbeche started his European career in France with Paris St Germain in 2001 and a promising start saw him included in the Super Eagles squad for the 2002 World Cup.

However since then his career has stalled, while at PSG he was loaned to Bastia and Metz after which he moved to Al-Jazeera in the United Arab Emirates in the summer of 2006 before joining Alaves last season.

"I've had to deal with several career setbacks and now is the time to get my career back on track," said Ogbeche.

"I still have age on my side and I know people's expectations are still massive but I can only be myself.

"I pray to be lucky with injuries, hopefully I will be able to show what I am capable of doing.

"It won't be easy but the prospects of playing against teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia gives me strong push.

"I believe I have come to the right club and I can't wait to start."