Onazi dreams of ‘Sarriball’, sues for sensational Lazio return

The 28-year-old departed Lazio in 2016 after five years in Italy’s capital to join Turkish club Trabzonspor. However, after an initial run of strong performances, the midfielder hit a rough patch, with a long-term injury limiting his involvement and a rash of transfer activity inside the last two years taking in three different clubs in four separate spells in three countries.

Now at Turkish second division side Denizlispor after mutually terminating his previous contract with Lithuanian club Zalgiris in August, Onazi stated his continued devotion to the Biancocelesti, as well as his admiration for the playing style of manager Maurizio Sarri.

“After the five years I spent with Lazio, I decided to leave,” he said.

“Although (erstwhile manager Simone) Inzaghi asked me to stay and spoke with the company to ask Lotito to offer me the renewal, I said no. I wanted to look for a new challenge.”

It was a decision that Onazi ultimately came to regret, but the combative midfielder lifted the lid on the challenges he faced away from Stadio Olimpico. In December 2018, he ruptured his Achilles tendon and was ruled out of action for an extended spell, missing out on Nigeria’s bronze medal run at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“In the first few seasons elsewhere I did well, often appearing among the best players. Then I got hurt and had to sit still for a year.”

Having now recovered his physical condition, Onazi, who scored for Zalgiris in a UEFA Champions League qualifier back in July, believes he still has a lot to offer his former club.

“I'd like to go back to the Biancoceleste and talk to the club,” he said. “Lazio is my team, I can't cheer for another club. I'd like to embrace Sarri's philosophy.”

Onazi was part of the Nigeria squads that won the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and qualified for the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup, but has not played for the Super Eagles since a 3-0 AFCON qualifying win over Seychelles in 2018.