Valencia seal permanent Sadiq deal until 2028 as survival mission continues

Valencia have made their move in the January transfer window, securing Umar Sadiq on a permanent deal from Real Sociedad until 2028 as they once again battle against the drop.

Return of the saviour

Exactly one year and four days after his initial loan arrival, Sadiq is back at Mestalla – but this time he’s here to stay. The Nigerian forward has put pen to paper on a contract running until June 2028, with Valencia reportedly splashing up to €5 million including variables to secure his services permanently.

It’s a case of déjà vu for Los Che, who find themselves in a similar predicament to last January when they first brought Sadiq in to rescue them from relegation troubles. The difference? This time they’ve gone the whole hog and bought the bloke outright rather than just borrowing him.

Immediate impact needed

Sadiq arrived in Valencia on Wednesday and has already completed his medical examinations at the club’s training ground. Manager Carlos Corberán will be desperate for the striker to hit the ground running, much like he did during his loan spell last season when he made an “immediate impact” according to club sources.

The situation at Valencia is dire:

• The team has won just three matches all season
• They’re drifting dangerously close to the relegation zone
• Goals have been harder to find than a taxi on New Year’s Eve

Ready for action

The 27-year-old will be officially presented at the Ciudad Deportiva training complex tomorrow morning at 10am, just before joining his first training session with the squad under Corberán.

Valencia are wasting no time getting their new signing into action, with plans already in place for Sadiq to potentially make his second debut this weekend against Elche at Mestalla – a match described as “transcendental” for Corberán’s future at the club.

With the boss’s job potentially on the line and Valencia’s top-flight status hanging in the balance, no pressure on Sadiq then, eh?