Super Eagles Midfielder Joe Aribo revealed he had to choose between his dream of playing in the English Premier League and the dream to play Champions League Football.
Aribo left Rangers to join Southampton in a deal worth £10 million, 3 seasons after joining Rangers. The highlight being his goal in the Europa League final against Frankfurt.
In an interview with Saints TV, Aribo revealed that he has no regrets leaving Rangers and claims that he is living his dream playing in the Premier League.
“It’s one that I’m not surprised about. I know the Prem wasn’t going to be an easy task. Playing against teams, you could see the shift in quality in every single team.”
“Every team has got quality. Some results haven’t been the best but we are still growing, we are still learning and I think as a team we are going to come through.
“It’s a dream for me to, of course, play Champions League, but I am also living my dream playing in the Premier League, so it’s either or. I couldn’t have both at the time, so I think for me it’s a very good decision.”
The Obvious change in League quality didn’t slow down the Nigerian as he has been a regular name on Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team sheet, making 13 appearances for the Saints in the Premier League and scoring twice.
His versatility has also been a useful weapon as the Nigerian has featured in a two prong attack, as an attacking midfielder, as a supporting midfielder and as a central midfielder for the Saints.
It’s a contrast in fortune for Rangers as they were battered out of Europe, losing all of their matches in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, scoring 2 goals and conceding 22 – the worst defensive record in the group stage of the competition.
